Faroese sheep expand overall global ovine genetic diversity.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Faroese sheep have an unclear history. While it is assumed that the Vikings brought sheep to the Faroes, traces of pre-Viking age sheep are also found. Historical sources cite disasters in a period around year 1600 that essentially eradicated the sheep population, and subsequent imports from Iceland to the northern part of Faroes, and from Shetland and Orkneys to the southern part of Faroes. We have here investigated the genetic relationship of northern Faroe sheep with other breeds.

Results

A total of 359 sheep from four flocks from three Faroese islands (Streymoy, Eysturoy, Kalsoy) were genotyped using the GeneSeek Genomic Profiler Ovine 50K chip. The samples were clearly stratified into three groups corresponding to island of origin. This is likely due to the m

SUBMITTER: Hansen EK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12008876 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature