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| Genetic Questions |
| The Australian Lutino Platinum aka "Platino" ©2006 Linda S. Rubin CF Genetics Consultant & Panel Judge “All Rights Reserved” by Author. Written permission from author required for reprints. |
| photo c. 2006 Craig Ravaillion Click on thumbnail to enlarge |
| QUESTION What would come first in the listing of a multiple allele with a Platinum Lutino, commonly known as a Platino? Which mutation would be more dominant and therefore would be listed first? Would it be the Platinum as it is referred to as a "Plat"-ino? Ravaillion ANSWER First, a word of explanation about the term Platinum, which means different things to aviculturists from different countries. In the USA, the term Platinum was first used to define a crosss mutation between the Recessive Silver and the Fallow, known as the Silver Fallow. It never gained much in popularity because so few breeders specialized or worked with either of these colors, let alone the cross mutation. In the UK, the Dominant Silver achieved popularity when crossed, in particular, with the Whiteface mutation and so this cross also became known as the Platinum, which is actually a Whiteface Dominant Silver. However, unlike the cross mutations above, Australia produced its own spontaneous mutations that the Australian aviculturists have chosen to name Platinum. The Australian Platinum is a unique mutation for many reasons, but here most importantly, it needs to be understood that it is a single mutation that is not due to any other color mutation or cross. Although the Australian Platinum does not exist in the United States due to Australia's export laws (although there is some rumor that there are cockatiels here that conform to the Australian Platinum's description), the Australian Platinum should be considered a primary mutation. Whether the US or any other country has this mutation or should this mutation spontaneously appear in one of our aviaries, it would be considered a primary color as long as it is a single mutation. First and foremost, the Australian Platinum, as a primary mutation describes the entire bird and is not restricted to face color alone or merely to pattern. However, the same can be said of the Lutino mutation, which also describes the entire bird. In formal nomenclature or show classifications, we describe our mutations in the following order: face color, then body color, and lastly, pattern. Viewers interested in this topic may also wish to read the link, Standardizing Nomenclature for Show Reports on this site that describes the order of names in which mutations are listed. If we follow the logic of face color, ground (body) color, pattern - it would follow that as a ground color, Lutino, should be listed first. In comparison, it might be argued that an Australian Platinum, although a color, is also to some extent a pattern (e.g., the hallmark tannish-brown flights and tail feathers reminiscent of a light iinverse Pied pattern). Therefore, one could assume that according to logic, the name should be Lutino Platinum. When you consider the nomenclature of other crosses, for example, Lutino Pied, Lutino Pearl Pied, Lutino Cinnamon Pearl, Lutino Fallow, Lutino Silver, etc., it fits right in. However, the Australian aviculturists have taken to the name "Platino," short for Platinum Lutino, and so if the latter is used, it might be difficult to change. This is somewhat akin to the eroneous habit American aviculturists have taken to calling the Whiteface Lutino, an "Albino," which genotypically, it is not, because a true Albino is not a cross mutation. (What is interesting here is that the Whiteface Lutino, at the very least, is listed in its correct order of naming the face color followed by ground color). Because Australia appears at this time to be the only country that has been working long term with the Australian Platinum and old habits are difficult to break, it will be interesting to learn in the long run whether the choice by the societies - and the breeders at large - is to call this mutation in its logical order, Lutino Platinum, or whether the reverse will win out. Of course, the slang, Platino may prevail, but this would not be the first time in our history of cockatiel mutations for the wrong nomenclature to be used. One need only consider the example of the Whiteface, among others. Please keep us appraised in the future so we can share with others what is happening in the homeland of the cockatiel. If you have photos to share with viewers, they are welcome and breeders/owners/exhibitors will be fully credited with copyright retained by the photographer). Linda S. Rubin |
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