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Description
Strange things have been happening, and in light of recent events, a new gene has cropped up in the Western Isles. Read below for all the information you could want to know on the Piebald Mutation and how it works.

Disclaimer: These genes are based off extensive research into deer patterns and markings by TigressDesign and myself. Though they hold similarities to horse markings, any designers are recommended to base their patterns solely off piebald deer for inspiration.

What is piebald?
Piebald is a genetic mutation that produces a variety of flashy patterns on the coat. It is a very recent mutation, and occurs very rarely, possibly sparked by high levels of magical radiation. The gene is also associated with a number of genetic defects, some lethal and some merely inconvenient. The gene will only be present in fawns born from Spring of 759 onwards.

Expression
For any pattern to show up, requires the presence of at least two genes: the piebald pattern gene (recessive) and either Marbled or Mottled. One without the other will not produce a patterned fawn. The gene is not linked or related to the fawn gene in any way, and acts independently of it. A fawnling must have pipi AND at least one marbled or mottled gene for a pattern to show. If they have pipi alone, there will be no markings, and even if they have MbMb/MtMt without piebald, no pattern will show. Pipi likewise does not produce patterning.

The Piebald Gene
pipi

The piebald gene is actually a gene that activates the pattern producing proteins, much like the PATN gene in appaloosa horses. It is recessive, requiring two copies for any de-pigmentation to occur (pipi). If a fawnling has only one copy (Pipi) and is a carrier, they will not exhibit any pattern.

The Mottled Gene
pipi/nMt or pipi/MtMt

The mottled gene causes speckled white on the coat, in varying degrees depending on whether the fawnling has one or two copies of the gene. The gene is characterised by being torso heavy (pattern generally centres on the main body, and parts of the face, more often leaving the legs free of any pattern), flecked edges that may result in ticking or larger 'cookie cutter' edges. Fringes of markings are rarely in hard lines, and the gene does not affect eye colour or skin colour (nose, horns and hooves will not be affected). Heterozygous individuals (one copy of the gene, nMt) will display up to 50% white coverage. Homozygous individuals (two copies of the gene, MtMt) will show up to 95% body white. They will not be pure white.

The Marbled Gene
pipi/nMb or pipi/MbMb

The marbled gene causes 'cleaner', more solid body white, that again varies depending on how many copies of the gene the fawnling has. The marbled gene is noted for its clean edges, and bottom heavy tendencies focusing on the legs, face and belly. The gene also often causes wall eyes (blue eyes) and pink skin on the areas it affects. Fawnlings with a single copy of the gene (nMb) will display up to 50% body white, though expression may be very minimal. Homozygous individuals with two copies of the gene may exhibit up to 95% white coverage.

Combinations
pipi/nMt/nMb or pipi/MtMt/nMb etc

Combining the two genes together produces an array of varied and interesting patterns. When a single copy of each gene is present, markings often combine causing frosted edges on marbled markings. Mottled appears to act on the Marbled gene, changing its edges and the way it expresses. A characteristic of this is misting, where an otherwise solid marbled marking appears to fade and part of the base coat an be seen through beneath. Combinations of up to three genes will usually result in between 30% and 85% body coverage. Neither gene is dominant, meaning that the individual may have dark skin and eyes or blue, the same applies to skin. They will not be more than 95% white.

Double Homozygous
pipi/MtMt/MbMb

When two copies of both gene are present, most of the body will be covered with most individuals displaying 95% or more white coverage. Individuals may have colour remaining on the crown of the head or other random locations around the body. Again depending on which gene has expressed more, eye colour may be blue and skin may be pink.

Description
Strange things have been happening, and in light of recent events, a new gene has cropped up in the Western Isles. Read below for all the information you could want to know on the Piebald Mutation and how it works.

Disclaimer: These genes are based off extensive research into deer patterns and markings by TigressDesign and myself. Though they hold similarities to horse markings, any designers are recommended to base their patterns solely off piebald deer for inspiration.

What is piebald?
Piebald is a genetic mutation that produces a variety of flashy patterns on the coat. It is a very recent mutation, and occurs very rarely, possibly sparked by high levels of magical radiation. The gene is also associated with a number of genetic defects, some lethal and some merely inconvenient. The gene will only be present in fawns born from Spring of 759 onwards.

Expression
For any pattern to show up, requires the presence of at least two genes: the piebald pattern gene (recessive) and either Marbled or Mottled. One without the other will not produce a patterned fawn. The gene is not linked or related to the fawn gene in any way, and acts independently of it. A fawnling must have pipi AND at least one marbled or mottled gene for a pattern to show. If they have pipi alone, there will be no markings, and even if they have MbMb/MtMt without piebald, no pattern will show. Pipi likewise does not produce patterning.

The Piebald Gene
pipi

The piebald gene is actually a gene that activates the pattern producing proteins, much like the PATN gene in appaloosa horses. It is recessive, requiring two copies for any de-pigmentation to occur (pipi). If a fawnling has only one copy (Pipi) and is a carrier, they will not exhibit any pattern.

The Mottled Gene
pipi/nMt or pipi/MtMt

The mottled gene causes speckled white on the coat, in varying degrees depending on whether the fawnling has one or two copies of the gene. The gene is characterised by being torso heavy (pattern generally centres on the main body, and parts of the face, more often leaving the legs free of any pattern), flecked edges that may result in ticking or larger 'cookie cutter' edges. Fringes of markings are rarely in hard lines, and the gene does not affect eye colour or skin colour (nose, horns and hooves will not be affected). Heterozygous individuals (one copy of the gene, nMt) will display up to 50% white coverage. Homozygous individuals (two copies of the gene, MtMt) will show up to 95% body white. They will not be pure white.

The Marbled Gene
pipi/nMb or pipi/MbMb

The marbled gene causes 'cleaner', more solid body white, that again varies depending on how many copies of the gene the fawnling has. The marbled gene is noted for its clean edges, and bottom heavy tendencies focusing on the legs, face and belly. The gene also often causes wall eyes (blue eyes) and pink skin on the areas it affects. Fawnlings with a single copy of the gene (nMb) will display up to 50% body white, though expression may be very minimal. Homozygous individuals with two copies of the gene may exhibit up to 95% white coverage.

Combinations
pipi/nMt/nMb or pipi/MtMt/nMb etc

Combining the two genes together produces an array of varied and interesting patterns. When a single copy of each gene is present, markings often combine causing frosted edges on marbled markings. Mottled appears to act on the Marbled gene, changing its edges and the way it expresses. A characteristic of this is misting, where an otherwise solid marbled marking appears to fade and part of the base coat an be seen through beneath. Combinations of up to three genes will usually result in between 30% and 85% body coverage. Neither gene is dominant, meaning that the individual may have dark skin and eyes or blue, the same applies to skin. They will not be more than 95% white.

Double Homozygous
pipi/MtMt/MbMb

When two copies of both gene are present, most of the body will be covered with most individuals displaying 95% or more white coverage. Individuals may have colour remaining on the crown of the head or other random locations around the body. Again depending on which gene has expressed more, eye colour may be blue and skin may be pink.