Abstract

The number of livestock breeds native to a country is related to the size of the human population. This is presumably because in populous countries there are complex requirements for livestock to serve a wide range of functions. However, diversification of breeds within a country or regio is also related to ecological factors and to human geography. This relationship is discussed in the context of Africa. Breed diversity may be associated with human genetic diversity; this is illustrated by certain sheep breeds in northwest England. Studies of the factors giving rise to and maintaining livestock biodiversity are likely to cast light on the development of human cultures