Fig. 1

Discovery of ancestral-like coarse (ALC) wool characteristics in newborn Merino sheep. a–d The phenotypic properties of newborn ALC wool sheep (P30) The red circles in c indicates primary wool follicles of ALC lambs. e–h The phenotypic properties of MF wool newborn sheep (at P30). The red circles in g indicates primary wool follicles of modern fine (MF) wool lambs. i, The distribution of ALC wool diameters (line graph) at three different stages (P30 [30 d postpartum], P120, and P180). j The distribution of MF wool diameters (line graph) at three different stages (P30, P120, and P180). The bar is 22 μm, The bar in D and E are 55 μm, The bar in E, F, I and J are 100 μm. k The wool diameter of ALC and MF wool sheep in adulthood (1 year old, n = 15). l The wool length of ALC and MF wool sheep in adulthood (1 year old, n = 15, **P < 0.01). m The annual wool yield of ALC and MF wool sheep in adulthood (1 year old, n = 15, *0.01 < P < 0.05). n The body weight of ALC and MF wool sheep in adulthood (1 year old, n = 15, ***P < 0.001)