Population Data for the Transferrin Variants in the Australian Merino

Abstract

Population data for the transferrin varil;mts in the South Australian and Camden Park strains of the Australian Merino are reported. In all, five variants designated A, B, C, D, and E were distinguished. The relationship between these variants and those reported in previous investigations of the Merino and other breeds has been determined. In two out of the six samples there were significant departures from Hardy-Weinberg expectations. It was observed that closed flocks with small effective population size, Camden Park and one South Australian (Roseworthy) flock had fewer than five variants, the number generally found in all strains of the Australian Merino so far examined. For the Roseworthy material it was possible to demonstrate that the parent population, Anama, had the five variants. Further, the two Roseworthy flocks derived from the Anama stock had significantly different gene frequencies from that flock.