How do mutations occur? - BirdBoard.Com - Parrot Message Board & Pet Bird Owner Forums

LivingFiction · #1 (**permalink**) 07-04-2005, 08:57 PM

We all know about the variety of cockatiel and parakeet mutations. And from time to time we see mutations in other species. The Lutino, Blue, and Albino Quaker. I've even heard of a blue yellow naped amazon.

How do these mutations occur? Are they all a result of inbreeding? Is true that a mutation is more likely to have health problems, or other defects. Be smaller or weaker in general?

Why do we not see albino/pied/pear mutations in conure, cockatoo, macaw, or other popular birds?

Monica · #2 (**permalink**) 07-04-2005, 10:40 PM

First off, mutations occur when there is a defect of the DNA passing onto the chicks and the colors are 'messed up' or left out. It has a lot to do with the chromosomes and a 'mistake' when the DNA copies before cell division, even some pieces of the DNA being left out or the wrong part of DNA switched for another part... In DNA there are codes such as ACG, GTC, CCT, etc. These form a 'sentence' and when this 'sentence' gets interrupted it causes problems, not only as far as the looks of the birds, but sometimes even their health and physical well being.

So indeed some birds may have internal problems due to the mess up in their genetic code. Some birds may suffer from a low immune system, or even a body that can't process foods and other things as well. It happens and if you think about all the people who have disabilties from birth defects, this is the same idea.

I've seen photos of the blue yellow napes, and they are gorgeous! As far as not seeing very many mutations in conures and the larger birds, well they mature at a later age and don't breed as frequently as the smaller birds do.

As far as mutations in cockatoos, for the most part that is not possible because most cockatoos are WHITE or to say they lack all other colors so therefore you'll never see a pied or a lutino cockatoo, unless of course this bird was origionally a black too, a galah, or some other COLORED too. There are mutations however in the smaller conures such as green cheeks, though none yet of the aratinga group that I know of. There are however a few mutations in the macaws...

As far as macaws go, there is an 'albino' scarlet, a pied severe (I wouldn't really call it pied however), pied blue and golds, lutino blue and golds, and maybe one or two other rare ones out there!

Monica · #3 (**permalink**) 07-05-2005, 12:09 AM

Franciscus · #4 (**permalink**) 07-05-2005, 12:38 AM

Mutations occur in the wild but they often dissappear due to more frequent predateion, they stand out form the rest of the flock, as wel as due to the fact that the mutated bird often will breed to a normal form. The normal form's genes would generally be more dominant.

I prefer the normal form in most species. I do like the cobalt ringnecks though, even though the green is so stunning.

basketbagley · #5 (**permalink**) 07-05-2005, 02:15 AM

Monica, you are a wealth of info! I know I've said that before, but man.

Beautiful pics! - Thanks!

Monica · #6 (**permalink**) 07-05-2005, 03:35 AM

Your all welcome! I have a thing for researching and finding info (I remeber one of the first books I started to read after I learned how to was the dictionary....) so I normally just love to research various things that take my interest!

felisdomesticus · #7 (**permalink**) 08-03-2005, 02:46 AM

in normal circumstances (in the wild) harmful mutations are not usually passed on to offspring because they cause some kind of physical or biochemical detriment to the organism. These individuals have a much more difficult time just surviving and living and frequently don't live long enough to produce any (or many) offspring. That is the true essence of "survival of the fittest".

If there were to be a mutation that HELPED an individual be better camouflaged in its environment or evade predators, etc. than that would be beneficial to the organism and it would be better suited to live longer, produce more offspring, and pass that gene along more often.

When we get into intentional breeding of specific animals by humans, we throw the rules out of the window because this typically happens in a closed environment where predators are not part of the equation.

I myself don't believe in breeding mutations as it is very very rarely limited to just a 1 codon error that does not impact any further codons on the same or other chromosomes. There usually are several errors in the code as a result which cause multiple problems.

The Outlaw · #8 (**permalink**) 08-03-2005, 02:53 AM

Additionally, it is difficult for these mutations in the wild to find mates that will find them attractive. Flock animals depend on "fitting in" and not attracting attention. Consequently, when birds are chosing prospective mates, they usually will chose those in the best health and color. The mutations are the oddball and attract fewer partners.

Monica · #9 (**permalink**) 08-03-2005, 07:40 AM

Black polar bears use to excist.... white ones survived.... However, I have a subscription to Birds & Blooms (wild birds and flowers/plants), and I have been seeing more and more photos of albino hummingbirds which are surviving quite well in the wild. Surprisingly, I've even seen photos of albino deer, alligators, lions, cobra, kangaroo, etc... Quite interesting really!

Mutations are not normally found in the wild since they are usually more prone to being seen by predators (such as a completely black zebra is more able to keep track of than in a group of striped zebras)... They just are more visibale and easier to find than normal...

Tiki · #10 (**permalink**) 08-03-2005, 08:44 AM

Monica, that link you gave for Ringneck mutations www.mightymutations.com.au is about an hour and a half away from where I live. I rang them last month about their Malabars which are pricey at $1500......but on my wish list! They are sooooo beautiful!

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