APHEM SPECIES

Genetics

The Aphem have an extremely large range genetic variables when it comes to colors and patterns. Due to the complexity of their genetics, and due to the lack of funding until recently, the Aphem genetics are still in research and are unannounced at this time and have not been released to the public. The Aphems also have a extremely wide variety of mutations that have yet to be researched. Some mutations include; horns, excess fur and feathers, as well as different fur types.

 

Colors and Markings

The Aphem have a range of colors far more dramatic than any species currently known on earth. These creatures range from natural browns and greys, to vibrant purples and greens. Often these creatures are found with markings to distinguish them from others, ranging from popular white to more unique marking colors such as pinks, or yellows. There doesn’t seem to be any real pattern to their colors, and some often seem completely randomized while some seem more choreographed in color and markings. Once genetic research progresses, we expect to have more information into these creatures and their bizarre markings and colors.

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Color Genetics

The Aphem species has three different alleles for colors. Gradient colors on Aphem’s are almost genetically impossible due to their allele structure. Each marking can have a different color, the more complex the marking colors, the more complex the genetics. Listed below are the known alleles at this time. The only time a Aphem can have a gradient on it’s body is if it has a fading marking, or a roan/dun marking.

 

RR (171-255) | Rr (86-170) | rr (0-85)

GG (171-255) | Gg (86-170) | gg (0-85)

BB (171-255) | Bb (86-170) | bb (0-85)

 

Alleles are not horribly specific, however each variation of each allele will show the general color range using numbers on a RGB bar. It will not show you exact hue, saturation, etc. Only by using these genetics will you get information on the base color. By using the allele combinations, you can determine the general color scheme you may get when breeding two Aphems.

For example, Aphem A has the genetics RR gg Bb meaning it is a pink Aphem. Aphem B has the genetics Rr Gg bb meaning it is a yellowish green Aphem. The child Aphem will have the genetics RR Gg Bb meaning it is a orangish pink Aphem.

 

Mutations

Mutations are surprisingly common in Aphems, and some mutations are specifically bred for. There have been countless variations of horns found on Aphems, ranging from stubs on the head to head, shoulder and back armor made out of horns.

Variations in fur type and quantity have also been a common mutation within Aphems. Fur has gone from long to curly to short however have also been known to possess quality such as waterproofing, and some Aphems have been known to have double coats. Quantity wise, fur has been seen to cover the back hooves entirely, cover parts or all of one or more tails, and there has been a report of a Aphem with so much fur that they barely had any visible shape to them until shaven, and had been compared to a sheep dog with excessive fur.

Additional feathering is also a common mutation found, whether this is feathers expanding onto the chest from the wings, or single feathers sprouting from heads, and flanks with a long trail.

 

Marking Genetics

The Aphem species has a wide range of marking genetics. Much like colors, the markings genetics are not horribly specific. It will not give specific patterns, placements or quantities of one marking in specific. However, the amount of markings a Aphem has can be determined in a range. Recessive markings do not show on a Aphem. It must be dominant to show.

 

Amount of Marking Allele List

MM (%76+ body coverage) | Mm (51%-75% body coverage) | mm 50%-0% body coverage)

 

Markings Allele List

Stripe Allele: SS, Ss, ss

Spot Allele: OO, Oo, oo

“Fading” Allele: FF, Ff, ff

Roan Allele: AA, Aa, aa

Tobiano Allele: TT, Tt, tt

Overo Allele: VV, Vv, vv

Tabby Allele: YY,Yy, yy

Brindle Allele: II, Ii, ii

“Other: Allele: XX, Xx, xx

 

• NOTE, this list is not complete. There are more markings found on Aphem’s that have yet to be listed as information on these markings have not yet been released. The “Other” marking allele has only been listed so that genetic users can insert information as needed.

 

Applying Genetics

Most breeders and registry’s require genetics before a Aphem is bred or registered. Applying genetics can be extremely tricky depending on the complexity of a Aphem’s genetic list. Each marking has it’s own color gene’s, and the colors of each marking will be shown after the allele of each marking. A complete genetic list may looks something like this;

 

Base Color: rr, gg, Bb

 

Marking Coverage: Mm

 

Markings: OO, Ff, xx

 

Marking Colors: (Spot) RR, GG, bb | (“Fading”) Rr, gg, Bb | (“Other”) rr, Gg, bb

 

The full genetic chain will look something like this:

 

rr gg Bb Mm OO RR GG bb Ff Rr gg Bb xx rr Gg bb

 

Some Aphems do not carry some marking genetics at all. If a Aphem without a certain marking allele is bred with another Aphem with a dominant of the missing marking gene, the child of the pair will have a recessive allele. If a Aphem without a certain allele is bred with another Aphem with a recessive of the missing marking gene, the child will also have the recessive marking gene. A printout/download of punnett squares used for genetic determinations can be found here.