Fig. 1

Phenotype variation in sheep breeds. A representative example of phenotypic diversity in the Chinese sheep population (approximately 42 different indigenous breeds). Moreover, several imported sheep breeds (approximately 8) can be found in China, and over 21 improved and crossed breeds were generated by breeding local and imported breeds to yield multipurpose breeds for improved meat and wool production, as well as other productive traits. Images used herein were adapted with permission from Animal Genetic Resources in China: Sheep and Goats [217]