Pony Science

[GeorgW]

Yeah, I know, another Pony thread. But this one should be original.

My friend, like many of you, is very into MLP. So we got together earlier today and he brought some episodes for me to watch. I figured why not and watched it. Now, first off, it's not that great, but not bad either. However, for once this isn't about the quality or popularity of the show, but about the science.

Me and my friend got to talking about their genetics and reproduction (we do that, I know we're weird). Though there seems to be mostly females in their world, there are males as well, so it would make sense that there's some kind of reproduction. There also seems to be several different races, and the curious mix of unicorns, pegasuses, regular (earth) ponies and hybrids of them all (the princesses) made us think. There are of course other beings in their world, but they don't seem to distinguish between these 4 specific types, which lead me to believe that they're genetically similar enough to mate with each other. But, why are hybrids so rare (only the princesses) then? We decided to make a pedigree chart, which I will now present to you. My friend did the chart and I did the "science".

Spoiler: The chart (Edited based on input in the thread)

We also included what the mane cast would be genetically.

The X-axis is male, and the Y-axis is female. We decided that the earth pony genes would be dominant, and the pegasus and unicorn recessive. This would explain the rarity of the pure Alicorn. Also, as a tie-breaker, the genes from the male of the species would be dominant, since there seems to be so few of them. You can see that Derpy breaks the domination rules, which is our explanation for why she's the way she is. This one is not scientific, since derp genes would be different from species genes, but it's just for fun.

As for the hybrids, here are the priority rules:
1. One Hybrid; Same as the non-Hybrid
2. Both Pure; Will make a Hybrid
3. One Pure; Same as the Pure
4. One Earth; Same as the non-Earth
5. Both Earth; Same as the Male's gene
6. Both non-Earth; Same as the Male

So what I was wondering was, what do you think of our chart, do you agree, and please share your thoughts on pony genetics and pony science in general!

Oh, and while search baring this I found this quote:

a serious discussion about the science in a kids' show about magical talking ponies is almost too tragic to imagine

P.S. I am aware that there's another one out there, but ours is much better.

TL;DR: Pony genetics and pony science, talk about it!

 

[Melon Hunter]

I think being an Alicorn (which is what I've been told is a pegasus/unicorn hybrid is called) is exclusive to the royal sisters; seeing as they are immortal beings with power over the sun and moon. But you raise a very interesting point in how the child of parents from two different races would turn out. I would imagine, if we're really going to delve into this, that there are a multitude of genes that govern what race the child would turn out as, rather than a binary choice between two.

Also, I would say Fluttershy had recessive Earth Pony, not Unicorn genes, as her connection to animals and nature would make more sense that way. And maybe Pinkie Pie having recessive Unicorn genes would explain her ability to teleport anywhere she pleases?

 

[Scorched_Cascade]

To shed some light on the "can they interbreed" thing here's a shot from the creator.

As far as I'm aware Luna and Celestia are the only hybrids, functionally immortal and as Goddesses. I don't think their birth is natural or frequent. I think it's exclusive.

I'm not really up on my science lately so I can't contribute much. It was interesting to read your table though thank you, I'm curious to see where the thread goes.

 

[Condor219]

This is interesting, to say the least. It fits well, and gives room for already-established principles (like Celestia/Luna's parents also being Alicorns). However it seems that Alicorns should be much more common. Maybe a pure Pegasus and Unicorn mating is social taboo? It seems unlikely, so I think other reasoning needs to be made to compensate for this.

And I think a Derpy gene needs to be factored into the mix as well.

 

[Giest4life]

Oh. My. God. I've seen a couple of episodes and I think they are Ok, but why this?

 

[Radoh]

This is quite an impressive bit of work you did here. You should totally send it to Lauren Faust's DeviantArt account, I'm sure she'd like to see it.

 

[Radoh]

Oh. My. God. I've seen a couple of episodes and I think they are Ok, but why this?

Because why not? The Fandom does whatever it can to add to the universe. Programmers make games, artists draw art, writers write some of the only good fan fiction I've ever read, groups form and discussion is had. This is the strength of the herd at heart.

 

[BabyRaptor]

Oh. My. God. I've seen a couple of episodes and I think they are Ok, but why this?

Why does any fanbase debate the intricacies of their preferred universe? We love it.

 

[DEAD34345]

It makes a surprising amount of sense, especially since it implies that Earth Ponies would be much more common than other ponies which seems to be the case.

However, why would genes from males be dominant? Genetics simply doesn't work like that, in my (admittedly limited) understanding at least. If a gene is a dominant gene it remains dominant regardless of gender, and the same applies for recessive genes. The only difference in gender is that certain genes in males don't have a matching pair due to existing on the Y-chromosome, so the dominance of the gene becomes irrelevant.

 

[Midnight Crossroads]

Yes, but where does the gene for plot fall into place in this graph? For science, of course.

 

[LostTimeLady]

Interesting and just a bit of fun in the name of science and MLP:FiM.

Actually, if you think too hard about MLP though you just start seeing really big holes. Where does Twilight and Spike get money from? Does fluttershy tending to local pets offset the cost of all the woodland animals she looks after? Who pays Rainbow Dash for clearing the clouds? (Oh yeah, I've thought about it!)

Excellent graph, although I agree with a comment above, the assumption of dominance of the male gene might not quite work but with this graph you've nicely shown that hybrids are super-rare and so it works.

 

[roostuf]

i gotta say this is impressive, your dedication to this subject is really intriguing.

So far for the science sorry i cant help you there, i was never good with genetics.

 

[blankedboy]

Oh. My. God. I've seen a couple of episodes and I think they are Ok, but why this?

People get bored. Deal with it.

Ontopic, not too interested but it's kinda cool. Like Radoh said, send it to Faust's DeviantArt.

 

[Radoh]

Interesting and just a bit of fun in the name of science and MLP:FiM.

Actually, if you think too hard about MLP though you just start seeing really big holes. Where does Twilight and Spike get money from? Does fluttershy tending to local pets offset the cost of all the woodland animals she looks after? Who pays Rainbow Dash for clearing the clouds? (Oh yeah, I've thought about it!)

Excellent graph, although I agree with a comment above, the assumption of dominance of the male gene might not quite work but with this graph you've nicely shown that hybrids are super-rare and so it works.

Twilight works for the Princess. That's a lot of money behind them.

Fluttershy lives off the land and has no real overhead to deal with.

The Mayor pays Rainbow Dash since she basically works for the Town.

Hope this helps!

 

[Liggliluff]

Wonderful! Comments, lots of comments.
I the one who worked with GeorgW to create this chart. Well, as he said, he did the "science" and I the graphics. But both had their ideas about how the details would work.

Alicorn (which is what I've been told is a pegasus/unicorn hybrid is called)

Great, thanks, didn't think there was a name for that kind of, "thing"... well, in this well-connected world, there is names for everything...

Also, I would say Fluttershy had recessive Earth Pony, not Unicorn genes, as her connection to animals and nature would make more sense that way. And maybe Pinkie Pie having recessive Unicorn genes would explain her ability to teleport anywhere she pleases?

Pinkie Pie is probably a Eu (Earth,Unicorn) more than Ep (Earth,Pegasus), good point. As for Fluttershy, that's true that she probably is a Pe (Pegasus,Earth), but it won't work as Earth is dominant, if there isn't a kind of... exception?

This is interesting, to say the least. It fits well, and gives room for already-established principles (like Celestia/Luna's parents also being Alicorns). However it seems that Alicorns should be much more common. Maybe a pure Pegasus and Unicorn mating is social taboo? It seems unlikely, so I think other reasoning needs to be made to compensate for this.

And I think a Derpy gene needs to be factored into the mix as well.

Alicorns are very rare, as only Celestia and Luna are one only one as far as I know. That's why only Pure ponies are required, which shouldn't be as common as the non-pure ones.
Deeeerp. Well, Derpy Hooves is just one pony, maybe a mentally unstable pony. But still, don't think there is a gene for being derpy. (If there isn't something wrong, like she being a Pe, which wouldn't work as Earth is dominant).

This is quite an impressive bit of work you did here. You should totally send it to Lauren Faust's DeviantArt account, I'm sure she'd like to see it.

Thanks, we had worked on it for a while, and I can always fix it even more, like I've done, hehe.
Have sent a Note to Faust's DeviantArt account and told about this chart. We'll see what the answer is (can quote it).

However, why would genes from males be dominant?

Male aren't primarily dominant, it was just a "fast way to get from the trouble". You'll see, when there is a Pu (Pegasus, with unicorn genes) mating a pU (Unicorn, with pegasus genes), and the result are a P and U, which kind of pony would that be? Then there was this solution that one gender should be dominant, like the uncommon Male-gender.
Like in GeorgW's post:

As for the hybrids, here are the priority rules:
1. One Hybrid; Same as the non-Hybrid
2. Both Pure; Will make a Hybrid
3. One Pure; Same as the Pure
4. One Earth; Same as the non-Earth
5. Both Earth; Same as the Male's gene
6. Both non-Earth; Same as the Male

The Male is dominant thing is the LAST thing, a solution to the problem where the outcome can be a Pu and a pU.
Don't know if it was easy to understand, but when the result is a PU, that are the rules. As soon as one rule is meet, the other ones are ignored. If it's an Alicorn, Pure, Earth, that's going to control the outcome, not the gender. Do you all understand now? No more dizzy information? Please, tell me if there's some problems with the chart.

I have changed some parts of the chart (Alicorn, Pinkie Pie things...) but because GeorgW owns the post, I can't change it... but here it is:

Spoiler: The chart, again

 

[Serving UpSmiles]

I've always wondered how Ponies have an intergrated society without hands.

 

[SillyNilly]

I absolutely love this. You guys did a magnificent job.

I'm no science guy, but how about trying your hands at coat, mane or eye color? Although I can see that getting to be rather complicated.

List here: http://mlp.wikia.com/wiki/List_of_ponies

Now that I think about it, where does Doctor Whoof fit into all of this with his switcharoo antics? He's an Earth Pony one episode, then a Pegasus in another. Could this be attributed as a reference to a plot device used in Doctor Who? I don't watch the show so I have no clue.

EDIT: After some searching around, I found some pointers to the 'Chameleon Arch', a device that modifies the cellular structure of an individual.

http://tardis.wikia.com/wiki/Chameleon_Arch

Wonderful! Comments, lots of comments.
I the one who worked with GeorgW to create this chart. Well, as he said, he did the "science" and I the graphics. But both had their ideas about how the details would work.

Although you joined in 2009, I want to welcome you to the Escapist. Happy first post!

I've always wondered how Ponies have an intergrated society without hands.

Magnets.

 

[aegix drakan_v1legacy]

........This is both awesome and hilarious. Good work guys!

...Also, you have way too much time. XD

 

[Serving UpSmiles]

I've always wondered how Ponies have an intergrated society without hands.

Magnets.

I thought someone was going to say magic, but touché sir.