EUMELANIN

Through genetic changes and the intervention of man the appearance of the wild canary has evolved, in some cases dramatically. The transformation of the melanin designs will be dictated by mutations, in the first place and by selection and the breeder’s ability in the second.

 

The degree and scope of melanin pigmentation and design will be determined by the concentration, formation and alignment of the pigment granules and their localization in the context of the feather cortex.

The effect of the dispersed melanin over the yellow  lipochrome will produce the light green color of the Agate

Cortex– the  lipochrome, in this case yellow is deposited on the cortex

The pigment granules which give color to the striation design can  be round or elongated,  and will group, align or concentrate in accordance with the particular mutation         

The pigment granules deposited at the bottom of the medulla on the  feather cortex, seen through the honeycombed area will give the optical illusion of grey on the surface of the feathers.

 Transversal cut of Agate feather

SQUEMACHROME

Color produced by the particular placement of pigments within the feather

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         DERECHOS RESERVADOS

Hypermelanism-Superoxidation  as in; Piel-negra, Onyx, Cobalt (mutations)

Satinette– extra dilution   (mutation)

Brown-mutation

Dominant White or Recessive White– Incomplete albinism (mutations)

Isabelle– dilution & reduction (intervention and crossover)

Ancestral Canary

Black (Green) - selection

Agate– reduction & dilution-(mutation)

Hypomelanism-(total albinism) Does not exist in canaries

Phaeo– deletes central eumelanin (mutation)

Manifestations of

     MELANINS

in canaries

Acianism-(Leucism) –partial loss of melanins (first mutation)

 Medulla– spongy honeycomb area