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A note on differences in coat structure between the black and white areas of piebald lambs

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2009

M. L. Ryder
Affiliation:
Hill Farming Research Organisation, Bush Estate, Penicuik, Midlothian, EH26 0PY
S. Adalsteinsson
Affiliation:
Agricultural Research Institute, Keldnaholt, 110 Reykjavik, Iceland

Summary

Data are reported on a phenomenon in which piebald lambs having a coat of intermediate hairiness have black wool which is not only longer and coarser than the white wool on the same animal, but which has a different coat structure in terms of the fibre type array. Possible explanations for this effect which is apparently caused by the gene that restricts the production of pigment to certain areas of the skin are discussed. Hairy lambs and woolly lambs did not have this coat difference between the two colours.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1987

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