Origins of Selaiki Unisexness

Introduction

There are many unique aspects of Selaiki physiology that fascinate. Their impressive height for instance, no complete Selaiki skeleton discovered to date has been shorter than roughly 8 feet. Their strength, according to some records range from abnormally high to fantastical. And of course, their large hips and gluteus maximas which tales say were both incredibly soft and yet equally durable. But perhaps none of their characteristics are perhaps more interesting than their status as a unisex species. 

Origins 

Unisex species, as briefly explained in the Selaiki summary, are not rare. In fact, many fish, crustaceans, insects and even some reptiles are unisex. Those species, however, have some form of asexual reproduction or inborn sex change only possible because of their low genetic complexity. Unisex mammals on the other hand, incapable of asexual reproduction or sex change ability, are exceptionally rare. The only known example to date is the domestic Calico cat which still very rarely produces males albeit mostly sterile. 

Finding out when the Selaiki transitioned from a two sex species to a unisex species is, to be blunt, unfeasible. Looking at Selaiki DNA gathered from specimens show that they do have other species of the Homo family in them, suggesting a much early origin. But it’s impossible to tell if that is a result of ancestral intercourse with those species or DNA gathered from the humans they had intercourse with. Scavenging DNA clumps from much earlier Selaiki remains would be ideal. However, as of the time of this writing no such remains earlier than 2700 BC have been found. What would cause a mammal species to develop into a unisex species is also very perplexing. At the very least we can say for certain it was a result of a series of distinct mutations over many generations. 

Effects

The effects of Selaiki’s unique nature are profound and noticeable. Incapable of producing males of their own Selaiki were forced to mate with males of other species to propagate their own. Recovered records indicate a very aggressive pursuit of men. It was a very common sight in Selaiki kingdoms to see Selaiki propose to a single man and pay his family a dowry. Outside those kingdoms, there are tales of men being aggressively pursued and seduced by Selaiki. 

There is one notable tale of a merchant visiting a Quarter. When it was discovered, the merchant was a decent sort and single, the Selaiki inhabitants still, without any permanent husbands of their own, began openly and bluntly enticing and flirting with the merchant. Some being very aggressive, not giving up their pursuit until the merchant left the Quarter once his business was done. There are other tales of men married to Selaiki spending many days having intercourse at least once. 

Odd behavior for a female of any species to do but a necessary one according to population dynamics. With pregnancy gestation time and the rate of multiple pregnancy being very similar to a human, Selaiki needed to work extra hard to grow their population much less sustain a large population. Finding a mate became functionally a basic need for a Selaiki individual. Maintaining and growing their population was an active effort of essentially all Selaiki, the failure of which could have contributed to their eventual extinction.