I have a probably dumb question.
I must first admit to having forgotten much of what I was suppose to have learned in college about genetics. (You will forgive me once you've learned that I was an Art Major).
To what degree does mutation play a role in the formation of the stains of 'fancy' swordtails,etc, and how often is a true mutation found in the wild?
I have read a lot here about dominant, recessive, crosses, and what you will get if A mates with B. Does on ever breed A and B and get XYZ?
I know I have a lot of reading to do, but in the mean time can anyone set me thinking straight about the role of mutation in swordtail genetics?
Thanks for humoring the newbie!

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Is there a specific strain that you're referring to? Your questions certainly are not dumb, but they are general enough to have the answers fill a book...LOL.

Generally speaking, an initial mutation like lyretail or albino shows up out of the blue in someone's tank. They're then selectively bred for that trait. Some are also brought into another domestic strain, as with red Platy's being crossed with Swordtails to produce a red Swordtail.

It's impossible to say how many mutations occur in the wild, as many are gobbled up. Theoretically, they can occur more often in captivity due to the smaller breeding pool, which allows for recessives to sneak into the population. That's a tad over-simplified though.

There can be highly variable outcomes when crossing domestics. While some strains may breed true, it depends on what you're dealing with.

Thanks, melody. Thats the kind of general answer I was hoping for,actually...
While looking through our first few fry drops, I've noticed the occasional surprise, like a pineapple in amongst a batch of marigolds. Obviously there is a pineapple somewhere in this fishes ancestry. So you never know what surprises may spring from a trio of mutts picked up at the LFS. Which is a lot of fun, of course.
But its the possibility of looking over a bunch of new little fish and finding a truley new or different trait that sparks my imagination. I am just now starting to learn about what variety is already out there. Is there anywhere one can find a relatively complete account of the types of swordtails currently "out there"?
I would hate to think there is a four eyed, triple finned, purple rainbow swordtail out there that only I havn'e heard of Is it possible for there to be a relatively complete "catalog" of existing, current swordtail varieties? (And with pictures, please)
Can someone get on that......

LOL Well Aqualog All Livebearers and Halfbeaks is a fine start - it shows both domestics and wild-types. Anything by Dr. Joanne Norton is an excellent resource for Swordtail genetics.

The color chart is virtually limitless. Finnage hasn't changed much - hifin, hifin lyretail, lyretail, and longfin are the basic Swordtail finnage types. Platy's can also sport a Plumetail.

I agree with you - mutts are fun, and figuring out the genetics behind it is fascinating.

montoya,

It would be impossible to list ALL strains of Fancy Swordtail/ Platy. First there are so many and second (Many of them have many different common names for the same strain) Sometimes a new/ different name is put on an existing strain to help sell it as a "New" strain, sometimes it's done out of ignorance (A breeder not knowing the name and putting a name on it).
I always suggest (Enjoy your Modern Swordtails and Platys) even though it's a small booklet, long out of print, Dr Joanne Norton lists the original basic common names and what they look like. Try to locate this book.

Darrell

I have had the Aqualog All LIVEBEARERS & HALFBEAKS for a number of years and although the photography is great, I think that it could be a lot better especially the Fancy Swordtail and Platy sections.
There are a lot of photos of specimens Hifin, Lyretail and Plumetail that shouldn't represent the strains!(Poor Quality) Also there are a lot of photos of the same basic strains over and over.
I hope that if/ when they produce a revised issue that they include Koi strains and consult some experts (not me ) before labeling the strains (there are a lot of mislabeled strains).
Still it is a good book to have.

Darrell

Finaly found time to check back in on this thread....
Thanks much for the reading suggestions. I look forward to digging into this subject. I just got my first copy of Livebeerer Trader....would be a great place for you guys to list those out of print books I know you want to sell!
I'll try surfing until then

Montoya,

I've had my original copy of "Enjoy your Modern Swordtails and Platys since the early 1970's I bought it at Woolworths 5 and 10.
Contact Mike Schadle, he usually has at least one copy of this book and many others.

Darrell