Asphalt (EDNRB2-related) - Ball python

Asphalt is a phenotype of the ball python (Python regius) within the Yellowbelly series. The inheritance of Asphalt is incompletely dominant. Molecular data show that Asphalt is an allele within an EDNRB2 allelic series that includes Yellowbelly, Spark, Specter and Gravel, among others. The test detects the Asphalt-associated variant EDNRB2 c.3118G>A. The test is useful for distinguishing Asphalt from visually similar animals, such as Gravel, and for planning breeding selection more precisely. In the hobby, a homozygous Asphalt is often referred to as “Super Asphalt”.