Mappa Coloration and Geographic Distrobution

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schlecht13
Dwarf Puffer
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My Puffers: Arothron Hispidus, Arothron Mappa (3 and counting!), Arothron Stellatus, Arothron Nigropunctatus (Black/Dalmation Variety), Arothron Nigropunctatus, Brown/Golden Variety, Chilomycterus schoepfi, Canthigaster Janthinoptera, Canthigaster Valentini, Arothron Manilensis (2), Arothron Immaculatus and Arothron Reticularis.
Location: Oklahoma City, OK (Soon to be Fort Lauderdale, Fl)

Mappa Coloration and Geographic Distrobution

Post by schlecht13 »

While most Mappas I have seen and maintain for that matter, are some shade of tan - dark to light, with black lines, I do have a Mappa that is jet black with the rypical "Mappa lines" but his are white - its like he is the opposite of the norm. When I received the black one, I was told he came from between Madagascaar and Africa....my others are all tan with tinges of yello skin (normal) "supposedly" were just indo-pacific.

While color variations are very common ans obviously change depending on surroundings more often than not, does anyone have a viable source that provides puffer coloration depending on the local region is a region thing or genetic thing or both? Sure I imagine both but my "black Mappa" never changes - lighter or darker - maybe region rather than genetics? Ideas on this one?
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Pufferpunk
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Re: Mappa Coloration and Geographic Distrobution

Post by Pufferpunk »

Very possible a combination of both. Genetics works on survival of the fittest, so if a darker puffer that is living in a region with darker substrate for example, gets eaten less than a lighter puffer in that region, then the darker puffers will have a better survival rate to live to adulthood for breeding.
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