| Just a word about genetics in general and koi genetics specifically, if that's acceptable?
In classic genetics we were all taught about the Mendel study of genetics and traits. And later we learned about the Punnett square used for predicting Mendelian genetics rising form two parents. It is the basis for all genetic inheritance yet in the real world, and especially in the koi world it is unreliable.
There are many reasons for this- environmental conditions, environmental mutations and complicated recessive genes. But for our koi, with the massive number of young they have, the normal Punnett square calculation fails, although it should be reliable even in large numbers as it is a percentage expression. But in large numbers comes variation.
Quantitative genetics is the more modern study of traits that are numbers and appear in random combinations, often based on environment. This is because all 'genetics' comes down to simple amino acids and changes/suppression and enhancement of these chemicals can result in any final combination. So although two oyagoi can 'throw' a percentage of what one expects, they will also throw every possible combination as well- and not the same combination every time, as many Japanese breeders can attest. Culling , fo course, is the only answer to this if one is to stay focused and on track as a breeder working on a breeder's program.
For those not too interested in the details of genetic combinations, just think of normal Mendelian genetics as the slot machines! You have three or four 'slots' in which the one armed bandit can display a fixed number of combinations. If you line breed, those 'cherries', bells, and star symbols are reduced to a very few combinations.
But with Quantitative genetics you now have 20- 30 windows and a large number of picture symbols that can show up, making the 'odds' much more difficult.
This is why hybrids are so very common in koi breedings and why certain varieties are not line bred.
Kigoi is a wild type mutation. It is a naturally occuring morph that is lacking it's normal black melanin cells. This leaves only red and yellow and the proper term for this is amelanistic. There can be white and yellow contrast due to the fact that wild type carp are all one color with variations of those colors above and below the lateral line.
In a line bred variation to wild kigoi we can have hypo orange individuals or another variation known as Xanthic where there are traces of melanin in the skin and the eyes tend to be black like a wild fish.
The reason kigoi is a good fish for hybridization is because it is a 'limited slot machine' and therefore can be counted on not to make for unwielding combinations when crossed with another variety. If you think about this, there is not only color involved but pattern traits associated with ( and not associated with) with colors. And patterns have a 'window and symbol pattern of their own!
So crossing 'solids with solids' in terms of pattern was the first genetics and then like patterns with colors was the second. It's really a fascinating history.
In ZNA we talk about all fish arising from color base first ( black or white) and then a pattern of one of four types ( solid, wrapped, dorsal and lateral). JR | 
02-24-2008
Quote: 
Linear Mode
Similar Threads 
