Response to Partial Selection on Clean Fleece Weight in South Australian Strong-Wool Merino Sheep III. Genetic Distance Between Flocks

Abstract

Divergence over time in flocks selected for clean fleece weight and for fecundity is measured by gene frequency changes at the R-r-i blood group, haemoglobin, and transferrin loci. No unequivocal effect of selection is demonstrable. Problems of interpretation even in flocks of known history are discussed.