[Jacob-list] Re: definitions of freckling, etc.

[Grose]

Mary Ellen Hansson said: 
The freckling/ticking/mottling issue is certainly one that is not clearly defined---nor well understood.  Those definitions don't match what I see on a personal basis in sheep that have been exposed to sunburn/strong sun for several months and develop spots to a higher degree than the sheep kept in shady conditions on the same farms.  I think there needs to be some actual looking at sheep from around the country before definitions can be actually counted on for more than a "good theory".  :o)  We do have to start somewhere, though!

I am comfortable with these definitions of the characteristics, but not neccessarily with the assumtions about the genetics that govern their expression. Refering to freckling as 'dominant' implys that there is a single gene that determines the expression of the trait. Where the expression is variable and/or the trait is governed by several or many genes, it is better to refer to the 'heritability' of the trait. 
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