GQR's Gargoyle Gecko Morphotypes

Gargoyle Gecko Morphology

I started writing up this page back in early 2016 as a way to try to help people understand and classify gargoyle gecko patterning and color. The term 'morph' refers to a color or pattern variant that is genetically based. Overall color and pattern determination in Gargoyles cannot be described as simple Mendelian traits like you often see in snakes, but is influenced by polygenic characteristics (genes at multiple loci interacting to encode particular phenotypes) and in some part by epigenetics (inheritable changes that may affect how the DNA sequences translate to gene expression). Because of this, it is difficult to predict progeny morphology in every case. Many traits are quantitative characteristics in that possible phenotypes have a range of continuous distribution. There are base traits that we can explain by visual observation and predict partially when looking at lineage. I'm not going to attempt to get into genetic specifics for any of these traits; we are simply putting labels on phenotypes (visual traits).

Here, I will organize my morphs in three separate main categories: base pattern, pattern color and background color. I've tacked on a couple of bonus traits on the bottom of the page as well. Some geckos shown in the examples may exhibit multiple traits, but try to focus just on the one being talked about in that section.

Base Pattern

Base pattern of the gecko, generally a black or dark brown pigmentation, which changes based upon being fired up or down. When fired up, this is when the maximum amount of pigment is exhibited. When fired down, the pigment expressing cells are inactive and are either greatly muted or not visible. We have two main basic base pattern categories: Striped and Reticulated. From there, we have other forms that are also important to note individually: Super Stripe, Banded, Mosaic and Mottled.

Stripe
These are examples of striped gargoyles. Stripes run down the length of the body, but do not need to be solid to be considered a stripe. Broken/mottled patterning that closely resemble a stripe count. I've called stripes that are fairly mottled (see example) aberrant. In my experience, stripes tend to be more of a dominant trait than reticulation. Just because a gecko may have color bars/stripes, does not automatically make it a super stripe. We are looking at the base pattern, not including color.

Super Stripe
The base stripes should be all over the body, including limbs and tail (does not include color stripes). They may be slightly broken/mottled, but generally complete. There is no established description on super stripes, but most believe that the body should have a minimum of four to six sets of pattern stripes. There is usually a dorsal stripe that runs down the length of an original tail, though some examples are more bold than others. The mid dorsal stripe running the length of the body may be thickened, but is not the qualifier for super stripe as some might suggest.

Reticulated
This pattern is aberrant and random spreading out over the entire gecko without uniform markings. I am referring to the base pattern, and not any color patterns. There may be some bolder markings, but generally the overall patterning showing isn't defined in some sections over others. The entire body of the gecko usually is covered in patterning that is the same thickness. Overall, the pattern is somewhat consistent, though there is no real defined layout.

This pattern category has been used to describe the 'wild type' patterning in Gargoyles and used to be the more common pattern found. However, this is not the case; there are many wild gargoyles that are striped and/or showing colors other than brown. We have two '97 wild gargoyles in our collection and both are striped.

Banded
This pattern is a reticulated form, but with a little bit of predicted pattern in the form of banding over the top. I am referring to the base pattern, and not any color patterns. The bands generally go from midpoint dorsally and fall down the sides laterally. They may start to move horizontal towards the lower half of the lateral surface, but if the pattern remains relatively unbroken, it is still classified as a banded.

Another term name used to describe a cleanly (read, reduced base reticulation) banded gargoyle with some jagged variation is 'alterna' (which is the scientific name of the Gray-Banded Kingsnake aka Lampropeltis alterna).

Mosaic: This base pattern is more rare, and somewhat of a combination of both stripe and reticulated without the predictability of normal banding. This pattern shows bold markings that randomly mesh between striped, reticulated and bands with little to no consistency. This patterning is generally pretty random, but more commonly found in a stripe based animal, but has been noted in reticulated based animals. Mosaic patterning is usually more recognizable in the lateral patterning of the gecko. Breeding mosaic gargoyles with other mosaics has increased the occurrences of producing mosaic babies.

There is some variation between the expression of mosaic patterning from animal to animal. Some can be considered high expression mosaics showing very bold and defined patterning that falls in line with the pattern description. Lower expression mosaics can be mostly striped or reticulated, with some bold patterning seeming to do its own thing. The threshold of expression labels is not yet well defined. As we continue to produce and pair mosaics, a greater understanding of the genetics will hopefully come to light.

Mottled: This is a bit more of an obscure trait which describes a base pattern that is mostly reticulated, but with some uniformity. The uniformity does not form full banding, but is not completely random either. There are no bold, defined markings as you would see with a banded reticulated animal. Mottled synonyms: streaked, marbled, dappled, stippled, flecked. I don't have many strong examples of this one, and haven't seen them often.

Pattern Color

When I refer to the color category, I am referring to the bright coloration that many of my gargoyles have in addition to pattern. This color is generally always present whether fired or unfired. It may be slightly more mute fired down, and more intense/saturated fired up, but this is not always the case. First, I'll talk about the color, then the pattern that these coloration morphs can appear in. For striped animals, stripe color can appear in three different locations I refer to as bars to help distinguish between pattern stripes and color stripes. The dorsal bar is the set of color stripes that should be closely straddling the spine of the gecko. The side bar is the next set over, positioned a little away from the dorsal position on the gecko, but not quite fully on the lateral side of the gecko. The lateral bar is on the side of the gecko (often referred to as the lats (lateral)).

Red
The color pattern showing is red based with shade ranging from lighter red to a dark blood red. This is the most common color variation seen in gargoyles.

Orange
The color pattern showing is orange at its core and not considered a red variant. This is more often seen in animals with a yellow background base, which lightens up the color to orange.

Both Red and Orange (Bacon)
Some geckos exhibit both red and orange color simultaneously. It is generally separated between the three zones (dorsal, side and lateral). When seen in babies, the color often shifts to one or the other as it matures and do no qualify as true 'bacon' gargoyles. It isn't as common to see the dual coloration retained in an adult, but adults that do retain both are absolutely stunning. This adult color combination is sometimes referred to as 'bacon'. Bacon coloration is generally seen with a red dorsal bar, and orange side and lateral bars (if present). On rare occasion, this color is reversed (orange is dorsal and red is side/lateral) which I refer to as 'reverse bacon'. My only reverse bacon gargoyle is Ferric.

White
Generally only seen on a striped gecko (though do have an exception), this color pattern isn't as common as other colors and is best visible when the gecko is fired up. In a dark fired gecko, the white stripe is often the side bar, and should be relatively solid. In young geckos exhibiting this, it is difficult to determine whether that will stick around, or phase out as the gecko matures.

Blotch
This color pattern is blotches or patches of color over a reticulated or banded base. Color blotching often follows the base patterning, so in a banded gecko, the color blotch is also often banded. On striped animals with 'blotching', it is actually partial bars so not a true blotched gecko (in most every case).

Super Blotch
This is the more extreme version of the blotch, with color blotching covering a greater percentage of the gecko. There is no established description for this, so stating a percentage of the gecko covered in color is difficult. Another thing I've often noticed about this color pattern morph, is that the color blotching often spreads as the gecko matures. There are some seriously high color super blotches out there, though acquiring them is very difficult.

Dorsal Blotching & Skeleton
This is a color pattern trait that is starting to be isolated and produced with greater predicatibility. This is where on a reticulated base gargoyle, there is a stripe of dorsal blotching that follows the length of the spine rather than random blotching or blotching following base pattern bands. It is almost a dorsal bar, but obvious blotching on a reticulated gecko with no defined pattern edging. When the gecko also has color banding, I started referring to that color pattern combo as 'skeleton' back in 2016. Years later, the name is catching on and seems to be a standard terminology now.

Background Color

Background refers to the base coloration of the gecko underneath the patterning. The background color varies greatly depending on firing phase. Individually, some background colors don't show up when fired down, and some show better.

Red
This background color should be red when the gecko is fired up. When fired down, the background color is generally a pink. This background color often doesn't start to develop until the gecko is ~6-10 months old. There are hints of background color sooner, but it doesn't always develop as expected (or at all). There is some variation to the shade of red that qualifies for a red background. There are darker reds, rusty reds, and a pinkish red. The latter are generally pushed into their own category (pink). The rust backgrounds are a red influenced by brown pigmentation which reduces the red intensity/saturation and muddles the color. I often refer to these separately as well and outright call them a 'rusty red'. Those not easily classified, I like to refer to as a red variant background.

Pink
Pink background is a variant of the red background that often gets its own category. The pink background is often a light pink (or near white) fired down and when the gecko is fully fired it is a darker pink at best. To be considered a true pink, the gecko should not be able to fire up red. These don't seem to be focused on in refining but you do see a couple of these from recognizable lines. The eye rings on these geckos are commonly red.

Orange
The base color showing is less common, and often mistaken for a red background. It is easiest to determine whether the background is red or orange by looking at a fired geckos belly. The color is often more easily visualized here.

Yellow
The yellow backgrounds are often more visible/intense when the gecko is fired down. It isn't uncommon for these to have some brown in the background color when fired up, which washes out the yellow intensity. When yellow geckos fire up, it often appears a bit brown. This color is hard to predict in babies, as it is often expressed when the gecko will grow out of it as it matures. Adult forms of this color variant can be absolutely stunning.

White
True black and white animals show defined black base patterning and a white background coloration when fired up with no yellow or brown influence. When these guys fire down, they very often lose all, or most of their base patterning and look more ghost like. Many animals may appear to have a white background when fired down (if they don't have a red, orange or pink background), but when they fire up have brown influences. These cannot be considered true black and white animals.

Brown
Gargoyles that have brown influences that show up in their patterning when fired also generally show a more yellow background when fired down. Many 'pet quality' gargoyles have more of a brown influence as other colors and lack of brown is selectively bred specifically for those traits. Brown influences are generally not selectively bred for, but are very common.

This is a color I'm seeing labeled as a red more and more. There is a brown/red combination that comes off as a more rusty brown, but still more of a brown color category than a red one.

Other Traits

Here are some additional traits that may be noted/described. Image examples coming soon...

Exaggerated Horns
This is a structural trait. Although all gargoyle geckos have a knobby structure on their heads referred to as horns, structure pronouncement varies between individuals. Some have more exaggerated features, which makes for a really cool looking garg. When selecting an animal, it is also worth noting their horn structure in consideration for breeding. Babies are not born with horn structure, usually exhibiting more of a short, roundish head. This structure is developed generally starting around 3 months old (where it starts to become more defined from the hatchling head structure) and tapers off as the gecko reaches maturity.

Horned Crown
This is a structural trait that has emphasized horn structure around the head forming a crown. There should be defined ridges raised up from the skull in a crown shape along the top of the head. It is often hard to capture this on camera, but I will try to capture some examples. This trait is a very attractive look on a great structured gargoyle imo.

Eye Spectacles/Rings
This trait refers to the color of the ring of raised scales around the eye of the gecko. When color is expressed, the most common is yellow. A red spectacle is uncommon and especially beautiful in highlighting the eye. An orange spectacle seems to be the rarest one to come across. The eye spectacle coloration generally does not fire down, and is always present.

Phantom Eye
The iris of the gecko should be greatly darkened if not black. This is a relatively rare trait, and isn't yet well understood. Often, it is a trait that is developed in a gecko; they do not express it as non-adults. Of the geckos I have here expressing this, it has been a trait that comes in with some age. One developed it as a three year adult, another developed it later (around six years old), another around four years old and took about 6 months to complete her transition to near black eyes. Another, which is a baby of the older one, started showing her transition around six years as well. That same older female produce another girl that transitioned one phantom eye around that same age as well. The age ranges I've experienced with this trait are 3-6 years old. This trait may or may not be expressed in both eyes and hasn't been proven to be genetic quite yet, though there does seem to be some tie. As people start to focus more on this trait, we may see increased production of these animals. I have not had/bred any phantom eye males to phantom eye females at this point, but will be putting together a 2022 group of 1.4 phantom eye gargs. Only real problem is that you have to hold back these animals much longer to see if they possess the trait which will make it hard to work on, and take much longer to isolate than some other traits.

Blue Eye: The eye of the gecko is a lighter color with a tint of blue. It isn't always very obvious, and generally isn't used to describe a lot of geckos that could be called such.

Blush: A color trait expressed often in high color animals. This trait is also sometimes called the 'tear', because the color is expressed right behind/below the eye at the ends of the mouth. This color is generally the same color as the main color trait expressed in the gecko, but when two colors are present (red/orange stripe), it is usually the color that is represented on the side stripe.

Lipstick: This color trait is usually only expressed in the highest colored animals. It is usually an overflow from the blush onto the lips around the mouth. Sometimes this extends all the way to the front (often in blotched increments) and occasionally onto other areas of the head.

Eyebrows: This color trait appears in a blotch right above the eye on the top of the head forming what appears to be eyebrows. This trait cracks me up, and I have a tendency to hoard anything I can with this.