The Characterization of Genus Ovis: Genetics, Domestication and Behavior delves into the diverse world of wild and domesticated sheep. This book offers comprehensive information on the genetics, evolution, diversity, behavior, expansion, breeding, and domestication of sheep. It is a detailed characterization of this ecologically and commercially significant genus. Written by experts who have hosted the World Sheep Conference four times, the book is systematically structured into four sections to guide readers through the various Ovis species, their biological characteristics, genetic markers, and their significance to human populations.
Furthermore, it offers new insights into the functional genetics of sheep species, their migrations and expansions in connection with human history, and guidance on successful breeding and husbandry. The book is organized for accessibility to student, academic, and professional audiences, making it an indispensable resource for anyone interested in animal evolution, diversity, behavior, and husbandry.
Furthermore, it offers new insights into the functional genetics of sheep species, their migrations and expansions in connection with human history, and guidance on successful breeding and husbandry. The book is organized for accessibility to student, academic, and professional audiences, making it an indispensable resource for anyone interested in animal evolution, diversity, behavior, and husbandry.
Table of Contents
Part 1.1. An introduction to sheep, its importance in human history, its taxonomic classification and diversity
2. Bighorn sheep (???????? ????????????????????)
3. Thinhorn sheep (???????? ??????????)
4. Snow sheep (???????? ????????????????)
5. Argali (???????? ??????????)
6. Urial (???????? ????????????)
7. Asian mouflon (???????? ????????????????????; ???????? ??????????????)
8. European mouflon (???????? ??????????????)
9. Domestic sheep (???????? ??????????)
Part 2.
10. Adapted behaviors of genus Ovis to various conditions
11. Reproductive behaviors during the reproductive season
12. Genes and behavioral traits
13. New methods and technologies to record sheep behaviors
Part 3.
14. Genetic markers and platforms in genetics studies of sheep
15. Functional genes and genetic mechanisms underlying phenotypic variations in wild sheep
16. Functional genes for meat production and growth traits
17. Functional genes for milk production
18. Functional genes for wool traits and coat colors
19. Functional genes for reproductive traits
20. Functional genes for tail-type traits
21. Functional genes related to appendages (i.e., horns, teats, ears)
22. Functional genes for stress and disease resistance
Part 4.
23. Sheep domestication and major post-domestication breeding
24. Post-domestication expansions and haplotypes
25. Archaeological evidence and historical records for sheep remains and ancient DNA
26. Evidence from Neolithic archaeological sites during past millennia and post-domestication migrations
27. Interspecies mating and genetic introgressions among the ???????? species
Authors
Menghua Li China Agricultural University, State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, Beijing, China.Dr. Menghua Li is Full Professor and head of China Agricultural University's College of Animal Science and Technology, as well as head of the Sino-Arabian Joint Laboratory for Sheep and Goat Germplasm Innovation in Beijing, China. He obtained a PhD in Animal Genetics, Breeding, and Reproduction from Huazhong Agricultural University's College of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine and brings more than 20 years of experience to the project. His research focuses on animal ecology, evolutionary biology, animal breeding, and germplasm innovation. Dr. Li has been the Chairman of the Sheep Committee of the International Society of Animal Genetics since 2019 and the Chairman of the first, second, third, and fourth World Sheep Conferences.
Hosein Salehian Dehkordi China Agricultural University, State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, Beijing, China. Dr. Hosein Salehian Dehkordi is Researcher at both China Agricultural University, Beijing, and the Institute of Grassland Research of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hohhot. He obtained his MSc in Animal Genetics and Breeding from Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, and his PhD in Animal Genomics and Ecology from the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing. Following his PhD, he served as Assistant Professor at Shahrekord University, Iran. His current research focuses on animal ecology, evolutionary biology, animal breeding, and germplasm innovation, and is funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China.
