Leopard Gecko morph
Leopard Gecko (Eublepharis macularius)
Incomplete dominant mutation increasing white coloration and brightening yellow/orange areas. Visually striking. HEALTH WARNING: Genetically linked to iridophoroma (skin tumors of iridophore origin). Published research (Guo et al. 2021, PLOS Genetics) confirmed mutation at SPINT1 locus, a tumor suppressor gene. Heterozygous animals develop tumors at high rates, typically by 1-2 years of age. Tumors are progressive and may metastasize. First appeared in 2015 in the collection of Steve Sykes (Gourmet Rodent).
Lemon Frost is an incomplete dominant mutation that increases white coloration and brightens yellow/orange areas. Heterozygous Lemon Frost geckos display increased white body coloration with vivid yellow and orange highlights, visually striking and initially very commercially desirable. Homozygous "Super Lemon Frost" shows even more extensive white coloration. CRITICAL HEALTH WARNING: Lemon Frost is genetically linked to iridophoroma, tumors of iridophore (white pigment cell) origin. Published peer-reviewed research (Guo et al. 2021, PLOS Genetics) identified the mutation at the SPINT1 locus, a tumor suppressor gene. Heterozygous animals develop skin tumors at high rates, typically appearing by 1-2 years of age. Homozygous animals develop tumors earlier and more severely. Tumors may metastasize to internal organs. There is currently no way to produce the Lemon Frost phenotype without the associated tumor predisposition.
How to identify it: Lemon Frost (heterozygous): Increased white coloration on body with brightened yellow and orange areas. Clean, vibrant appearance. Look for developing iridophoroma: white, raised, smooth skin masses that can appear anywhere on the body, typically starting on the dorsal surface. Tumors usually appear by 1-2 years of age and grow progressively. Super Lemon Frost (homozygous): More extensive white coloration with earlier and more severe tumor development.
Lemon Frost follows a incomplete dominant inheritance pattern, carried on the Lemon Frost allele (locus LemonFr).
Homozygous "Super Lemon Frost" develops iridophoroma (tumors of iridophore origin) earlier, more severely, and with higher penetrance than heterozygous Lemon Frost. Tumors typically appear within the first year of life in homozygous animals (vs 1-2 years in heterozygous). Tumors are progressive, can grow to significant size, and may metastasize to internal organs. The tumor predisposition is caused by a mutation at the SPINT1 locus, a tumor suppressor gene (Guo et al. 2021, PLOS Genetics). NOTE: Heterozygous Lemon Frost animals ALSO develop tumors at high rates. This is not a homozygous-only risk. The homozygous form simply develops them earlier and more severely. There is currently no way to produce the Lemon Frost phenotype without the tumor predisposition.
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