Research
New genetic atlas reveals traces of 10,000 years of sheep breeding
Phys.org ·
The Brief
- A new genetic atlas maps traces of sheep breeding in their DNA.
- Humans have selectively bred sheep for around 10,000 years for traits such as wool, size and reproductive characteristics.
Why it matters
It shows how long-term selective breeding leaves measurable signatures in an animal's genome, which is useful context for genetics and animal breeding research.
Who’s affected
- geneticists and evolutionary biologists
- sheep breeders and livestock researchers
For around 10,000 years, humans have selectively bred sheep for desirable traits. Generation after generation, we have chosen animals for their wool, size and reproductive characteristics and gradually left our mark on their DNA.
Timeline
New genetic atlas of sheep breeding reported
Biology News - Evolution, Cell theory, Gene theory, Microbiology, Biotechnology
New genetic atlas reveals traces of 10,000 years of sheep breeding