It could also be that the two mutations are both separate mutant alleles of the same gene (similar to the BEL and YB complexes). The fact that they look different enough, yet have nearly identical homozygotes makes this theory plausible. Additionally the (for purposes of this particular explanation) heterozygote containing one black pastel and one cinnamon allele being nearly identical to each homozygote would further support this theory.
Of course, it is equally plausible both could just be at opposite extremes of the phenotypical spectrum resultant of the mutant allele, as has been suggested before. The fact that there have been cinnamons hatch that resemble black pastels and vice-versa would appear to support that theory.
The only way to prove either though would be to examine and compare the DNA of specimens from each mutation, which I don't see happening anytime soon. It is safe to say that in the ball python hobby both mutations are considered separate, but related. Again, considering this, the only other comparisons I can come up with in P. regius are the multiple allele cases I mentioned earlier.
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