During the last two decades major advances have been made in mammalian genetics. New methods in molecular and cytogenetics, and in biotechnology have been developed. Many of these have been applied to investigating the genetics of sheep and to improving the production of wool, meat and milk. This book is a comprehensive reference work on sheep genetics. All relevant topics have been included, from fundamental genetic structure to the genetics of various production and other traits, to transgenic sheep and genetic conservation. Chapters have been specially commissioned for the volume and written by internationally recognized experts from Europe, USA, Australia and New Zealand. The book will be invaluable to advanced students and research workers in animal genetics, breeding and biotechnology.

Table of Contents:
1: Systematics and Phylogeny of the Sheep I R Franklin, CSIRO, Blacktown, Australia 2: Genetic Aspects of Domestication, Common Breeds and their Origin K Maijala, Helsinki, Finland 3: Genetics of Colour and Hair Texture D P Sponenberg, Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, USA 4: Genetics of Morphological Traits and Inherited Disorders F W Nicholas, University of Sydney, Australia 5: Biochemical Genetics L Di Stasio, Department of Animal Science, Torino, Italy 6: Molecular Genetics of Sheep B C Powell, University of Adelaide, Glen Osmond, South Australia 7: Molecular Genetics of Immune Molecules W R Hein, Basle Institute for Immunology, Basle, Switzerland 8: Genetics of Disease Resistance and Vaccine Response H W Raadsma, University of Sydney, Australia, G D Gray, University of New England, Armidale, Australia and R R Woolaston, CSIRO Division of Animal Production, Armidale, Australia 9: Molecular Biology and Genetics of Scrapie in Sheep N Hunter, Institute for Animal Health, Edinburgh, UK 10: Cytogenetics: Physical Chromosome Maps T E Broad, AgResearch Invermay Agricultural Centre, New Zealand, H Hayes, Laboratoire de Genetique Biochimique et de Cytogenetique, France and S E Long, University of Bristol, Langford, Bristol, UK 11: The Sheep Linkage Map G W Montgomery and A M Crawford, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand 12: Genetics of Behaviour G N Hinch, University of New England, Armidale, Australia 13: Biology and Genetics of Reproduction I W Purvis and M Hillard, CSIRO Division of Animal Production, Armidale, Australia 14: Modern Reproduction Technologies and Transgenics I Wilmut, K H S Campbell and L Young, Roslin Institute (Edinburgh), Midlothian, UK 15: Development Genetics N E Cockett, Utah State University, Logan, USA 16: Genetic Resources and Conservation R W Ponzoni, South Australian Research and Development Institute, Adelaide, Australia 17: Genetic Improvement of Wool Production K D Atkins, Agricultural Research and Research Centre, Orange, Australia 18: Genetics of Lamb and Meat Production R G Banks, University of New England, Armidale, Australia 19: Genetics of Meat Quality J M Thompson and A J Ball, University of New England, Armidale, Australia 20: Genetics of Milk Production F Barillet, INRA, Castanet-Tolosan Cedex, France 21: Genetic Improvement of Sheep B P Kinghorn, University of New England, Armidale, Australia 22: Standardized Genetic Nomenclature for Sheep C H S Dolling, President of COGNOSAG, South Australia