Differentiation between wild type and heterozygous albino ball pythons (Python regius) by PCR and qPCR.

Python regius or ball pythons are the famous exotic pets because of their beautiful color and pattern. The albino ball python is one type of ball python, but it is very difficult to determine the difference of phenotype between wildtype and heterozygous genotype of albino (het albino). In this study, PCR and qPCR can distinguish between wildtype and het albino. The PCR product size of wildtype and het albino was 415 bp, but the intensity of PCR product of wildtype was more intense than that of het albinos. No PCR amplicon was found in albinos and the Ct value of wildtype was lower than Ct of het albinos. The molecular detection technique, especially PCR and qPCR, can determine the difference between wildtype and het albinos of ball pythons.