![](https://ffxiv-roleplayers.com/mybb18/images/reksio/flecha.png)
(07-18-2013, 06:11 PM)Swift Wrote: Prior to it, I wasn't sure if there was a realistic way to play around with genes to get a similar effect, so I wondered if perhaps Square Enix planned on giving it a "Because magic reasons!" explanation. But it seems that's not the case, thankfully. I like some mode of realism in my fiction to make it believable (just like, say, we might be able to use some sort of wide-spread occurrence of testosterone-intolerance to explain why most Miqo'te are female).There's been plenty of things I've debated as part of these reproductive structures where I just shake my head because it's completely opposite of what I would expect and see in real world mating structures. "A wizard did it" is generally how I gloss over those things. That or the notion of "free will." Square Enix didn't hire a biologist to write these up, but for the most part they can be rationalized to some extent. It's likely I'm one of very few people considering the implications that much in depth, but I have a master's degree in genetics, so it's hard to keep the wheels from turning.
For example, given the fact that one male controls a harem of females, you would expect the males to be significantly physically larger than the females, which is only really the case with Roegadyn (and I haven't seen any indication that they have a harem-type mating structure). Male Seekers should be a LOT bigger than they are, if this mating structure is based on real world lions (in which male lions are 50% larger than females). This actually lends credence to the notion that it is a more political structure with the females pulling the strings. Alternatively, as a matter of female choice, you could expect the males to be a lot more showy - colorful manes, mating songs and dances, gigantic lekking displays, while the females would be rather bland and focused on camouflage. This is what you see with many birds, like peacocks, but not with the Seekers. As far as real-world biology is concerned, it's only partially thought out.
On the plus side, that actually enhances the opportunity for roleplaying. I can see a Tia going out of his way to establish himself as a world class singer or dancer to catch the eye of the older females in a tribe, who would in turn work to set him up as the next Nunh to breed with their daughters. Other female elders in the same pride could find that to be completely objectionable and support the strongest warrior in an effort to keep their grandsons from being born dandies. If these concerns remain equal and opposite forces, you could expect this species to continue as it is. More likely, Miqo'te just experienced a speciation event, which could explain how the Seekers and the Keepers split into two clans. Keepers supported the dandies, leading to a matriarchal society with flamboyant males. Seekers supported the warriors, leading to large harems and larger, more robust males.
As for gender imbalance, that is actually self-sustaining. In a monogamous species, the number of females and males born is generally similar (humans birth roughly 51-52% males and 48-49% females). In a harem society, it comes down to a matter of risk versus reward. Female offspring are a sure bet. If you have a girl, she's going to reproduce if she reaches sexual maturity, but she'll likely only produce 4-5 offspring in her lifetime. Male offspring are a gamble. Let's say 5% of males end up reproducing but can father as many as 200 offspring. Compared to a female, males have a lot more potential, but only if they are the very creme de la creme. Only top class females are encouraged to have male offspring, because their sons will have an environmental and social advantage. The average and below average females are better off having daughters, because any sons they have will be disadvantaged in a highly competitive race. A 100% chance at 5 grandchildren is better than a 1% chance at 200. The male-female ratio in Seekers is actually spot on as far as you would expect for a real world harem mating structure.
I'm a tinker! Tinkerer? Hrm.... I'm an artificer! - Myxie Tryxle | Impressions and Memories