Tessera

What Tessera looks like

Dominant; geometric squared dorsal pattern with clean sides

Dominant pattern mutation producing a modified dorsal pattern distinct from the typical saddle marks. Heterozygous Tessera (one copy): Produces a tessellated/tile-like pattern. The normal saddle marks are modified into a series of smaller, more geometric scale-outlined marks running down the dorsum, creating a "tessera" or tile-like appearance. The lateral pattern is also modified. Animals also tend to show a partial dorsal stripe or broken stripe element. Homozygous Super Tessera (two copies): Produces a cleaner, more defined version of the Tessera pattern, often described as a continuous dorsal stripe or very clean geometric pattern with minimal lateral blotching. The super form is visually distinct from the het form, confirming incomplete dominance. Note: Some breeders describe het Tessera and super Tessera as similar enough to question whether this should be classified as simple dominant rather than incomplete dominant.

How to identify it: Het Tessera: geometric tile-like pattern replacing normal saddles; partial dorsal stripe element; lateral pattern modified. Super Tessera: cleaner defined pattern, often a continuous dorsal stripe with minimal lateral blotching. Dominant. One copy produces visual Tessera.

How Tessera is inherited

Tessera follows a incomplete dominant inheritance pattern, carried on the Tessera allele (locus Tess).