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Tue 30 Oct, 2018 05:57 pm
I'm writing a story with a fictional species and a small plot-point involves the inheritance of genetics. Basically, they inherit one trait solely from the mother, and one trait solely from the father.
Just for example, say there was a species of deer that could be brown or black, with antlers that could either be long and curved, or short and branched. Mom is brown with curved antlers, dad is black with branched antlers. Their kids could only be brown with branched antlers. If a black female with curved antlers and a brown male with branched antlers reproduced, they could only produce children with black fur and branched antlers. Fur color would be dependent on the mother, while antler type would rely on the father.
Is genetic inheritance like this actually possible, or do I need to change it to a case of sexual dimorphism, where, to continue the above the example, females could only be brown with curved antlers, and males could only be black with branched antlers?
@Byfenn,
You're writing a fictional species. You get to make the genetic rules.
@jespah,
I understand that I get to make the rules, but if I ever get published I'd like to be able to say, "Well, in nature there's examples of this..." I guess it's mainly a pride thing, but if there are real-world examples, I could do more research and may get inspired to create something even more interesting.
@Byfenn,
Female deers don't have antlers so very fictional storyline
@bunnyhabit ,
I know does don't have antlers, I just couldn't think of a better example off the top of my head. I suppose goats or bison would have been a better example, if I'm so focused on four legged hoofed animals.
The actual subject is going to be aliens, and the genetics in question are more focused on internal components, like the immune system and how their minds work.
@Byfenn,
Since fiction anything is possible like antlers or donkey dong ha ha. Donkey dong would attract me to read more than antlers.
@bunnyhabit ,
Except reindeer, which are pretty much the same as caribou.
@roger,
Only in reality not necessarily in fiction
@bunnyhabit ,
In my world, all deer have horns - all the time.
@roger,
Fantasy is good for your enjoying life
@Byfenn,
I think the short answer to your genetics question is, Yes, it can happen.
@Byfenn,
I understand the need for a degree of 'accuracy', but I can assure you that the chances of someone asking about something that arcane are not high.
You sell its plausibility with your prose.
I agree with Jespah, and if you're a good story teller, readers will suspend disbelief.
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