Final answer:
Differences in fur length and patterns in cats are likely due to sexual reproduction and genetic differences. The gene responsible for coat color resides on the X chromosome, leading to varied fur colors and patterns, especially in female cats that exhibit tortoiseshell patterns due to X inactivation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The differences in fur length and patterns of the cats as described in the photograph provided is most likely due to sexual reproduction. Variations in traits such as fur color and pattern in cats can often be attributed to genetic differences, including the mutation of genes and chromosomal rearrangements. The gene for coat color in cats, for instance, is located on the X chromosome, and differences in this gene can lead to a variety of fur colors and patterns. Cats with two different alleles for coat color might exhibit a tortoiseshell pattern if they are female because one of the X chromosomes gets inactivated during embryonic development, leading to the expression of different colors in different parts of their body. This is a classic example of X inactivation in female mammals.
Male cats, on the other hand, with only one X chromosome, generally do not show such patterns. Hence, when observing variations in fur color and pattern among cats, we are seeing biodiversity reflected in their genetic composition.