Opaline paired with Turquoise.

When breeding a Green Opaline Fischer's Lovebird (Agapornis fischeri) with a Turquoise Fischer's Lovebird, the genetic outcomes can be intriguing due to the interplay of dominant and recessive genes. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the possible results:

1. Coloration and Mutations:

Green (Wild-Type):

The green coloration is generally dominant. Therefore, many of the offspring might exhibit a green base color.

Turquoise:

Turquoise is a recessive mutation. For the offspring to display turquoise, they must inherit the turquoise gene from both parents. If the Green Opaline parent carries the turquoise gene (making it a split), there’s a higher chance of turquoise offspring.

Opaline:

The opaline mutation is also recessive. To exhibit the opaline trait, offspring must inherit the opaline gene from both parents. If only one parent carries the opaline gene, the offspring will be split for opaline but won’t display it.

2. Genetic Scenarios:

Case 1: Green Opaline (Split Turquoise) × Turquoise Fischer’s

Offspring Colors:

- Green (carrying turquoise and opaline genes)

- Turquoise (if both parents carry the turquoise gene)

- Green Opaline (if opaline is expressed and they carry the turquoise gene)

- Turquoise Opaline (if both recessive traits are expressed)

Case 2: Green Opaline (Not Split for Turquoise) × Turquoise Fischer’s

Offspring Colors:

- Mostly Green (with some carrying the turquoise and/or opaline gene)

- Turquoise offspring will be less likely unless the Green Opaline parent carries the turquoise gene.

- Green Opaline (carrying turquoise gene)

- Few or no Turquoise Opaline, unless the opaline gene is present from both sides.

3. Breeding Outcomes:

1. Green Offspring:

- Dominant green coloration may result in many offspring being primarily green, especially if the opaline and turquoise genes are not both present.

2. Turquoise Offspring:

- Offspring will be turquoise only if they inherit the turquoise gene from both parents. If the Green Opaline parent is split for turquoise, there is a 50% chance of turquoise offspring.

3. Opaline Offspring:

- Opaline coloration occurs when both parents carry the opaline gene. If the Green Opaline parent carries it and the Turquoise parent is also opaline or split for opaline, you could see opaline offspring.

4. Turquoise Opaline Offspring:

- For offspring to be Turquoise Opaline, they must inherit both the opaline and turquoise genes from their parents. This outcome is less likely unless both parents carry these genes.

4. Possible Genetic Combinations:

Homozygous Dominant:

(e.g., Green/Green) – Green offspring.

Heterozygous:

(e.g., Green/Turquoise) – Green split for turquoise, some displaying turquoise if both parents carry the gene.

Homozygous Recessive:

(e.g., Turquoise/Turquoise) – Turquoise offspring.

Double Recessive:

(e.g., Turquoise Opaline/Turquoise Opaline) – Turquoise Opaline offspring if both genes are present.

Example Genotypes:

1. Green Opaline (Split Turquoise) Parent:

- Genotype: GreenOp/TurquoiseOp

2. Turquoise Parent:

- Genotype: Turquoise

Offspring Genotype and Phenotype Ratios:

Green:

(Green/Green, Green/Turquoise) – Dominant green coloration.

Turquoise:

(Turquoise/Turquoise) – Turquoise coloration.

Green Opaline:

(GreenOp/GreenOp, GreenOp/TurquoiseOp) – Green with opaline traits.

Turquoise Opaline:

(TurquoiseOp/TurquoiseOp) – Turquoise with opaline traits.

Conclusion:

Breeding a Green Opaline Fischer's Lovebird with a Turquoise Fischer's Lovebird will result in a mix of colors and traits, primarily influenced by the recessive nature of the turquoise and opaline genes. The exact distribution will depend on the genetic makeup of the Green Opaline parent (whether it is split for turquoise and opaline). For precise outcomes, genetic testing or pedigree knowledge would be essential.