I am not on the list right now, but have been following this thread with
interest from the archive. Anyway, I have some thoughts and questions on
dark-patched pied gerbils.
First, it seems to me that more people should be trying to breed these DPP
animals to see if the same problems crop up ... if similar problems do
develop (stunted growth, poor growth, early death, etc), then it is probably
best to not breed these gerbils as it would appear it is linked to problems.
But ... what if a person produces a DPP gerbil, then outcrosses it to an
unrelated gerbil. Then crosses a resulting pup either back to the DPP
parent, or if possible, another unrelated DPP gerbil if available. Then if
DPP pups are produced from that pair the process could be repeated, widening
the pool of DPP and hopfully DPP carriers slowly. For the sake of clarity,
let's say I have my DPP crossed to an unrelated gerbil and they produced
regularly marked and unmarked pups. Let's also say Rebecca's pair produces a
DPP pup. If that DPP pup is crossed to a pup from "my" pair that should
theoretically produce DPP pups if the trait is recessive. Then any DPP's
could be crossed to unrelated gerbils and the process continued. It seems to
me this route, if possible, would help avoid the problems of inbreeding and
hopefully avoid any other problems that may be related to the DPP trait. Any
thoughts on this?
Now, what about the DPP trait itself? It seems to me from what I've heard
that this trait is associated with gerbils that are Cch. The cases I have
heard of within the last several months are from pairs that have the
potential of producing Cch gerbils. Are there any theories that the trait
could be linked with gerbils that are Cch?
It also seems to me that because of the few gerbils that are produced with
this trait (DPP) that it could be a recessive trait, possibly linked with
other recessive traits. Is there any evidence that it is a recessive trait
versus a dominant trait?
Thanks,
Emily F.
--
Owner/occasional breeder of Second Chance Clan gerbils
Governing Committee Member of the American Gerbil Society
Adopt a gerbil -- http://www.gurlpages.com/other/emandkel/adopt.html
http://www.gurlpages.com/other/emandkel/index.html
http://members.xoom.com/emandkel/index.html (pictures)
More pics: http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=375925&a=2780674
