Observations on the short-tailed sheep of the Malay Peninsula with special reference to their wool follicle characteristics

Abstract

The sheep of the Malay Peninsula are described and the results of an examination of skin samples from 53 adult sheep from different Malaysian states in part of the Peninsula are presented. Values were obtained for density of follicles, secondary : primary follicle ratio, mean fibre thickness, fibre thickness ratio, occurrence of medullation, and shedding of fibre population. On the basis of their fleece structure, the sheep of the Malay Peninsula can be considered to be of one distinct breed, the Kelantan. This short-tailed breed, with a follicle population similar to the most primitive breeds recorded, is almost certainly related to the indigenous short-tailed sheep of central Asia. The Kelantan sheep should be considered in any evaluation of African and Asian breeds for carpet wool production in tropical and sub-tropical areas of Australia.