Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of Moroccan Beni Ahsen: Is This Endangered Ovine Breed One of the Ancestors of Merino?

(1) Background. Merino is a worldwide sheep breed well known for the quality and quantity of its wool. If there no doubt that it originates from Mediterranean Basin human selection took place in southern Spain, populations potentially contributed to building this are matter debate. Here, we tested whether Moroccan settled on North Atlantic coast, Beni Ahsen, could be good candidate, given thickness distribution fleece covering head legs. (2). Methods. Using control region mtDNA, 20 Ahsen sequences were considered dataset 643, including non-Merino breeds. Unfortunately, an endangered because lack interest breeders. (3) Results. European Merino-derived breeds divided into Iberian Italian cluster, more linked same country than between themselves. strongly other but shows greatest number connections with breeds, especially Iberia. Interestingly, several also connected Merino.