Color Genetics of Gotland Sheep in North America

by Franna Pitt, PhD

Copyright, 2007

What color is this sheep?

Basic Color - brown or black?

Pattern - white, badgerface, mouflon, English blue, grey, solid?

Spotting - spots, no spots

Extension - dominant, not dominant

Answer:

Basic color; BROWN (Bb/Bb)

Pattern: MOUFLON (At/A?)

Spotting: NO SPOTS (SS/S?)

Extension: NOT DOMINANT (E+/E+)

Wow! We got all but 2 of the 8 genes. We can clear up the other pattern gene by knowing that Mom is Badgerface/Solid pattern (Ab/Aa). She didn't contribute Ab, so his other pattern gene must be Aa. Mom is not spotted, nor is Dad. However, Dad may have produced spots! We have to leave the spot carrying possibility open.

Final Answer:

Basic color; BROWN (Bb/Bb)

Pattern: MOUFLON (At/Aa)

Spotting: NO SPOTS (SS/S?)

Extension: NOT DOMINANT (E+/E+)

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