Hi, I was trying to write a paragraph about fox domestication the other day, but couldn't come up with a satisfactory description of the phenomenon I tried to encapsulate in the sentences below. Please look at the following sentences:
- After being bred in captivity for only a few generations, recently-born foxes began to develop different pelt colors, just like their close relative, the domestic dog.
- After only a few generations of being bred in captivity, a variation in pelt coloration arose among recently-born foxes, not unlike that of their close relative, the domestic dog.
- After only a few generations of being bred in captivity, there started to be a variation in pelt coloration among recently-born foxes, not unlike that of their close relative, the domestic dog.
I'm especially curious to know what you think of my third sentence. I generally tend to avoid using constructions that begin with "there started" because they sound weird to my ears (i.e. a bit stilted.) Am I the only one thinking that? Is there anything else you would say differently? Please explain.