[Jacob-list] Jacob Lilac color reference: Soay,Shetland

[Jacobflock at aol.com]

In a message dated 10/9/02 8:46:33 AM Central Daylight Time, 
gordon at westergladstone.fsnet.co.uk writes:


> I
> wasn't quite certain about the reference to 'Soay, Shetland, etc'.  Neither
> of them contains a lilac variant, do they??  Mouflon pattern, moorit, yes.
> There are lilac Jacobs here, with spots of a very pale grey - is that what
> you mean?
> 

In trying to understand the presence of the "lilac" Jacob in North America, I 
was referring to the Soay and Shetland as possible "sources" of genetic 
material that may produce the lilac color.  If limiting the scope of the 
inquiry to "sources" of (a) nearby sheep (b) considering both pattern and 
color of 'root' stock (I think the Shetland is the top of the pattern/color 
pyramid) and (c) the population/flock status of these sheep in the early 
1900s and some admixture of breeds probably occured in various locations ... 
some were simply called "four-horn sheep" ... but later became identified as 
breeds or were identified with existing breeds.  

I am not rel good at colors but the lilac does seem to have a "purple" cast 
to it and includes a fawn(?) or steel(?) grey.   My point in describing grey 
is to differentiate the "lilac" from a premature greying gene or a gene that 
does not adequately produce copper for the 'black' melanocytes.  Not all grey 
Jacobs are 'lilacs'.  An indicator of the affected lilac is the eye-ring 
color.

Juliet ... I stand corrected on the JSS representing British flocks.  It 
appeared to me from the pictures in the most recent JSS Journal that most 
"winners" in England were two horn ... "winners" in Scotland were four 
horned.  I just happen to associate the JSS with London ... and I know there 
are regions in Scotland, Ireland, Wales ... and England.   Just before I saw 
your post I sent a note looking for some Scottish geography ... Thanks for 
your post.   

Fred Horak
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