Some observations on the livestock to tropical of adaptations environments
1969
Burns, M., Animal Res!arch Institute (Councilfor Scientific and Industrial Research), Achimota.
Differences between tropical and temperate types of livestock are not necessarily of adaptive significance. They may be due to different evolutionary lines of descent, isolation and genetic drift etc. Adaptive features may be genetic or phenotypic. and some evolved under conditions of primitive husbandry may be unimportant under modern husbandry or may even be antagonistic to high production. The analysis of apparent adaptations is thus important for both genetical and husbandry work. The general principles discussed are illustrated from some experimental work design· ed to analyse the characteristics of local Hair Sheep. commencing with assessment of the role of the specialised coat, and some observations on body temperature regulation in relation to grazing practices and behaviour.
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