Theoretical Mendelian Inheritance Models

Theoretical Mendelian Inheritance Model for the Porcellio scaber "Dalmatian" morph


This morph would likely involve the expression of a dominant allele (D+) at a locus called D, and a recessive allele (d-) at the same locus. The presence of at least one D+ allele at the D locus would result in the "Dalmatian" pattern of speckled coloration on the carapace. The absence of the D+ allele, or the presence of two d- alleles at the D locus, would result in a solid-colored carapace.


The possible genotypes for the "Dalmatian" morph would be:


The D+ allele would be dominant over the d- allele, meaning that if an individual inherits at least one D+ allele, the "Dalmatian" pattern will be expressed. The degree of expression of the pattern would likely depend on the presence of other alleles at other loci, or on the interaction between the D+ allele and other alleles at the D locus.


The line 'Moo Cow' has a higher expression of the dalmatian patterning, this means the D+ allele is more expressive in this line.

Theoretical Mendelian Inheritance Model for the Porcellio scaber "Orange Dalmatian" morph 


This morph would likely involve the expression of a dominant allele (D+) at a locus called D, and a recessive allele (d-) at the same locus. The presence of at least one D+ allele at the D locus would result in the "Orange Dalmatian" pattern of speckled coloration on the carapace. The absence of the D+ allele, or the presence of two d- alleles at the D locus, would result in a solid-colored carapace. Additionally, an allele (a+) at locus C and a recessive allele (a−) at the same locus, would result in orange coloration on the carapace.


The possible genotypes for the "Orange Dalmatian" morph would be:


The D+ allele would be dominant over the d- allele, meaning that if an individual inherits at least one D+ allele, the "Orange Dalmatian" pattern will be expressed. The degree of expression of the pattern depends on the presence of other alleles at other loci, or on the interaction between the D+ allele and other alleles at the D locus.


It's important to note that the Orange Dalmatian morph is not as combinable with other morphs as Dalmatian, this means that the D+ allele might not interact with other alleles at the same way as it does in Dalmatian.

Theoretical Mendelian Inheritance Model for the Porcellio scaber "Dalico"


The morph would likely involve the expression of two different loci, D and R, where D controls the "Dalmatian" pattern expression and R controls the "Red Calico" pattern expression. The locus D would have a dominant allele (D+) that results in the "Dalmatian" pattern of speckled coloration on the carapace and a recessive allele (d-) that results in a solid-colored carapace. The locus R would have a dominant allele (R+) that results in the "Red Calico" pattern of coloration and a recessive allele (r-) that results in a solid-colored carapace.

Additionally, the R locus is sex-linked, meaning that it is located on one of the sex chromosomes. This means that the inheritance of the R allele would be different in males and females.

The possible genotypes for the "Dalico" morph would be:

The D+ allele would be dominant over the d- allele.


Theoretical Mendelian Inheritance Model for the Porcellio scaber "Red Calico"

The morph would likely involve the expression of a single locus, R, where R controls the "Red Calico" pattern expression. The locus R would have a dominant allele (R+) that results in the "Red Calico" pattern of mottled coloration on the carapace, with a red-brown coloration and a recessive allele (r-) that results in a solid-colored carapace.


Additionally, the R locus is sex-linked, meaning that it is located on one of the sex chromosomes. This means that the inheritance of the R allele would be different in males and females.


The possible genotypes for the "Red Calico" morph would be:


Theoretical Mendelian Inheritance Model for the Porcellio scaber "Pacific Sunset"

The morph would likely involve the expression of a single locus, P, where P controls the amount of phaeomelanin pigment expression. The locus P would have a dominant allele (P+) that results in a high expression of phaeomelanin, leading to a reddish-brown mottled carapace. 

The possible genotypes for the "Pacific Sunset" morph would be:

The P+ allele would be dominant over the p- allele, meaning that if an individual inherits at least one P+ allele, a high expression of phaeomelanin will be present. The degree of expression of the phaeomelanin would likely depend on the presence of other alleles at other loci, or on the interaction between the P+ allele and other alleles at the P locus.


Theoretical Mendelian Inheritance Model for the Porcellio scaber "Lava"

The theoretical Mendelian inheritance model for the "Lava" morph would involve a single locus called L, where the dominant allele (L+) results in the expression of the deep red and gray blotches on the carapace. The recessive allele (l-) would result in a solid-colored carapace without the blotches.

The possible genotypes for the "Lava" morph would be:

The L+ allele is dominant over the l- allele, meaning that if an individual inherits at least one L+ allele, the "Lava" pattern will be expressed. The degree of expression of the pattern depends on the presence of other alleles at other loci, or on the interaction between the L+ allele and other alleles at the L locus.

It's important to note that the Lava morph is a complex trait, due to its origin from an intermediate population of Spanish Porcellio scaber ssp. lusitanus and Porcellio scaber ssp. scaber and it is highly variable, meaning that it is not as predictable as other morphs.