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VID genetics roughly mimic those in real life (and HEE!), so if you already understand how it works you can skip this first post <3

Certain traits such as base colour and additional colours will simply be some combination of the parent's traits. Other traits are random mutations which do not depend on genetics. Other than that, I will explain genetics very poorly...

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Markings are based on a genetics system! Each marking is encoded by a gene (eg. gradient). A gene is made up of two alleles (eg. Gdgd) - when written, the dominant allele is uppercase (eg. Gd), and the recessive allele is lowercase (eg. gd).

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A VID with two of the same allele for a trait is homozygous, either dominant (eg. GdGd) or recessive (gdgd). A VID with two different alleles for a trait is heterozygous (eg. Gdgd). Each parent will randomly pass along one of their two alleles for each and every gene. For homozygotes, it will always be the same allele (they have two copies of the same), but for heterozygotes it will be a 50% chance at passing the dominant or recessive allele.

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The combination of alleles is called the genotype, such as GdGd, Gdgd, or gdgd. The way the genotype actually looks on the VID is called the phenotype, such as "gradient" or "not gradient".

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Phenotype can be based on either the dominant allele, needing at least one copy of the uppercase to present itself (eg. GdGd or Gdgd), or the recessive allele, needing both copies of the lowercase to be visible (eg. mbmb). For recessive alleles, individuals with only one copy of the lowercase are carriers - they don't display the trait themselves, but can pass it along to their offspring (eg. Mbmb).

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For simplicity, only genes of interest will show up in a VID's genetic report, but they do all have the whole genome.

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"Autosomal" for our purposes simply means both males and females can have it. I don't plan on adding sex-linked traits, so you can ignore this term.

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Let's run through the probabilities when breeding for a dominant trait, such as gradient (Gd):

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[Parent x Parent genotypes: Offspring genotype (offspring phenotype)]

GdGd x GdGd: 100% GdGd (100% gradient)

GdGd x Gdgd: 50% GdGd, 50% Gdgd (100% gradient)

GdGd x gdgd: 100% Gdgd (100% gradient)

Gdgd x Gdgd: 25% GdGd, 50% Gdgd, 25% gdgd (75% gradient, 25% not)

Gdgd x gdgd: 50% Gdgd, 50% gdgd (50% gradient, 50% not)

gdgd x gdgd: 100% gdgd (100% not)

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The genotypic probabilities for recessive traits are exactly the same, but the probabilities of the trait being visible (aka, the phenotype) are different. Let's run through this again with a recessive trait, like marble (mb):

Type - 7 types available (A through G). Offspring will have a 50% chance of being either of the parents' types.

Base colour - All shades. Genetics complex - some combination of parents’. Will be communicated as “Base: colour”. Markings may be any shade of the base colour in addition to Col.

Col - “Colour”; Determines how many colours a VID may have beyond its base coat colour. Shades of the base coat colour do not require a Col gene, nor do markings resulting from some random mutations. Not all Cols encoded must be used. Genetics are complex - encoded colours will be communicated as “Col: colour1, colour2, etc” or “col” if none.

mb - “Marble”; Autosomal recessive. Causes marbling of base coat with all available Cols. Covers Grd, Rn, and exhausts Cols (markings will be base colour except Etc).

Gd - “Gradient”; Autosomal dominant. Colour gradient originating from extremities. GdGd may present as a multicoloured gradient.

Rn - “Roan”; Autosomal dominant. Colour gradient originating from core. RnRn may present as a multicoloured gradient.

Spl - “Splash”; Autosomal dominant. Markings covering face, legs, occasionally extending up the body.

Sb - “Sabino”; Autosomal dominant. Irregular markings on the face and legs, occasionally on the body.

Rb - “Rabicano”; Autosomal dominant. Vertical markings on the flank, occasionally on the tail, wings, horns, and/or fins.

Str - “Stripes”; Autosomal dominant. Presents as stripes of variable shape and size. Although highly variable, the particular shape and size of stripes seem to be passed on from parents. StrStr may present as bands.

Sp - “Spots”; Autosomal dominant. Presents either as spots, splotches or patches of variable shape and size. Although highly variable, the particular shape and size of spots seem to be passed on from parents. SpSp may present as multicoloured and/or more complex markings.

Tx - “Tuxedo”; Autosomal dominant. A continuous marking on the chest and underbelly.

J - "Jacket"; Autosomal dominant. A continuous marking covering the back.

Etc - “Etch”; Autosomal dominant. Highly variable but typically thin small markings. If no Col available, may still be black or white. EtcEtc may present either as larger or more intricate markings.

Pangere - Random mutation, lightening of the underbelly.

Birdcatcher - Random mutation, small white spots.

Sooty - Random mutation, darkening of the back.

Very small markings are not necessarily due to a genetic pattern, but are limited by Col genes.

Coloured eyes appear commonly on VIDs with light base coats or light markings covering the eyes, rarely in other cases.

Pearl (F) Owned by Nocturnal Creatures Type: F Base: Lavender Col: Light blue, pink, white . Marble: mbmb