Three genes at three loci are being mapped in a particular species. each has two phenotypes, one of which is markedly different from the wild type. the unusual allele of the first gene is inherited with either of the others about 50% of the time. however, the unusual alleles of the other two genes are inherited together 14.4% of the time. which of the following describes what is happening?

a. the genes are showing independent assortment.
b. the three genes are linked.
c. the first gene is linked but the other two are not.
d. the first gene is assorting independently from the other two that are linked.
e. the first gene is located 14.4 units apart from the other two.