Here's a new idea from Dave Barker, I think many will find this little tidbit interesting, and also something I was trying to understand. The possibility that the pinstripe has a gene or other trait closely linked to it that we don't understand yet. Anyways, here's what Dave had to say, I hope he does not mind that I post this.

On Jan 6, 2008 11:35 AM, Dave Barker <vpi@beecreek.net> wrote:


Of course, it's possible that one or both conditions are not even genetic,
but rather are epigenetic in nature and inheritance. Epigenetics, as I
understand it, is the inheritance of traits that are not the expression of a
gene, but rather the expression of some other molecules that are associated
closely with DNA (I believe these molecules "coat" a strand of DNA").

The fact is that I don't really understand epigenetics, it's a fairly new
field of research, and don't have any strong understanding of what all is
involved. I have read that epigenetics can cause some pretty strange
patterns of inheritance, including inheritance that cannot be explained by
classic Mendelian inheritance.

It would be simple enough to buy a pair of pins and breed them together. If
the pattern of inheritance is Mendelian, then either (1) a "super"
homozygous will result if the pin appearance is codominant; (2) a homozygous
pin will result if it is a dominant trait (further breeding would be
necessary to prove it); (3) or a lethal cross is in effect and the
homozygous condition does not exist. Failing those three possibilities, then
the answer would have to involve some non-Mendelian, probably epigenetic,
explanation.

At least that is how I understand it.

Dave

I have cut this from the original message.