Abstract: Multivariate analysis was used to investigate the influence of environmental factors from animal habitat on the genetic diversity of sheep populations. Populations were classified based on their morphological features and environmental indices into 2 groups, the 1st group includes Mongolia sheep and Tan sheep, they were distributed in the pastoral and agro-pastoral area, respectively. The area was characterized by high elevation, low rainfall and low annual mean temperature. The 2nd group includes Han large-tailed sheep, Han small-tailed sheep, Tong sheep and Hu sheep, they were in agricultural area and the area was characterized by low elevation, high rainfall and high annual mean temperature. The result showed that the elevation and annual rainfall were play important role in the distribution of sheep populations.
W. Sun , H. Chang , H.H. Musa , Z.P. Yang , K. Tsunoda , Z.J. Ren and R.Q. Geng , 2009. Influence of Environmental Factors on the Genetic Diversity of Sheep. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 8: 1070-1074.