Soay Sheep Information

9. Phenotypic Expression of White Spotting in Soay Sheep

My experiences so far in how recessive white spotting in Soay sheep is expressed, in particular with focus on the extent of the white spotting.

8. Identification of Coat Pattern in Soay Sheep

How to discern the telltale signs of the two basic different Soay coat patterns - "wild", or "mouflon" type, and "self-colored", or all one uniform base color.

7. A Proposed Scale to Quantify the Extent of White Spotting in Soay Sheep

If we want to record white spotting extent data in a form that will allow disciplined analysis, we need consistently and uniformly recorded data. This article describes a proposed scale that has been shown to be amenable to later statistical analysis of the data.

6. Understanding of coat colors and genetics in Soay Sheep

In tracking down information about coat color options and genetics in Soay sheep I compiled a 'roadmap' that others might find useful in sorting out this somewhat confusing topic.

5. Genetic purity and phenotypic variation in Soay sheep in North America

As a new Soay sheep enthusiast I was often confused by conflicting statements about purity or mixed breeding in various Soay sheep groups (British Soay, American Soay, etc.) in North America. I have attempted to sort out the available information and have come to my own conclusions, and share that with others here.

4. The Origins of Self-colored Black Soay in the Pacific Northwest

In this article I consider the genetics of self-colored black Soay sheep, and examine flock data from a number of flocks to see if it is possible to determine where self-colored black Soays came from in the current Pacific Northwest Soay flocks.

3. Purity of Soay Sheep on Soay and Hirta Islands

This article examines the evidence we have for whether or not other breeds have been crossed with the Soay sheep originally found on Soay island.

2. History of Soay in the domestication of sheep.

This article describes how Soay sheep occupy a very unique place not only in the
domestication of sheep, but in fact in the domestication of all animals.

1. Quantification of Ram Horn Shape in Soay Sheep

This article discusses how we might more uniformly measure the horn geometry of Soay sheep rams so that breeding and registration records might be more consistent between breeders. Additionally, it may help us understand the connection, if any, between horn character displayed at a young age and how they will appear at maturity.