The inheritance of black pigmentation in a family of inbred Peppin Merinos

Abstract

Recurrence of pigmented sheep has been recorded in a family of inbred Peppin Merinos. A recessive gene w has been postulated to account for the presence of pigment. Pigmented types are classified into three categories: head pattern, piebald, and black spotted. It is suggested that the pattern of pigmentation is affected by other genes. A description of two types included in the classification head pattern is given.