A total of 1015 adult cows belonging to nine West African cattle breeds were assessed for 16 body measurements and 18 qualitative traits to ascertain the existence of geographical patterns of variation. Sampling was carried out in 29 different provinces of Mali, Burkina Faso and Benin. For body measurements, taurine breeds took lower average values than the zebu breeds. Sanga cattle took intermediate values. Qualitative traits did not allow to differentiate among cattle groups (taurine, zebu or sanga) or breeds. Principal component analysis identified two factors explaining 56.4 and 9.2 % of the variance for body measurements, respectively. Two correspondence analysis dimensions computed on qualitative traits explained a small proportion of the variability (20.8 and 13.5 %, respectively). Contour plots were constructed using the eigenvalues computed for each individual and either factor or dimension identified; confidence regions calculated confirmed that body measurements clearly differentiated zebu and taurine cattle breeds while qualitative traits did not. Factor 1 was projected on a geographical map, using provinces as nodes, to assess breed-free variation for body measurements. A pattern of continuous variation from the Sahel area southwards was identified. Probably, breeding decisions promoting the crosses between zebu-like and taurine cattle are underlying this geographical pattern of variation. The implementation of selection strategies aiming at the increase of the productivity of native West African taurine cattle breeds while avoiding looses in trypanotolerant ability would be highly advisable.

Abstract.A total of 183 adult sires belonging to nine West African cattle breeds sampled in 67 villages of Mali, Burkina Faso and Benin were assessed for 16 body measurements and 18 qualitative traits. Within type of cattle (zebu, sanga or taurine), the different breeds analysed showed large differences in body measurements. In general, taurine breeds had lower average values than the zebu breeds while sanga cattle tended to have intermediate values. Principal component analysis identified three factors characterising body measurements. Factor 1 summarised the information provided by those traits characterising the size of the individuals and explained 59.0 % of the variability. Factor 2 tended to gather information characterising the body width and explained 8.0 % of the variation. Less representative, Factor 3 (6.6 % of the variability) had no clear interpretation. Qualitative traits did not allow to distinguish among either cattle groups or breeds. Two Correspondence Analysis Dimensions computed on qualitative traits (explaining 26.2 and 15.5 % of the variability, respectively) did not allow to differentiate between zebu, sanga or taurine cattle breeds. Our results confirm that, in the framework of a general appearance, body measurements are the main criteria for differentiating West African cattle breeds. Furthermore, the current research has not allowed to identify breeding preferences on qualitative type traits in West African cattle sires. Therefore, homogenisation of the appearance of individuals within cattle breed is not expected.

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, (+229)95696381/62402221. RESUME L'élevage porcin en milieu paysan, une activité économiquement rentable, est peu explorée au Bénin. En vue de déterminer les caractéristiques des producteurs et la structure des cheptels porcins au Sud du Bénin, une enquête transversale et rétrospective couplée aux observations directes des cheptels a été conduite auprès de 105 éleveurs de porcs. Les résultats ont montré que les éleveurs appartenaient à trois grands groupes sociolinguistiques dont les Fon, les Adja et les Yoruba, et étaient dominés par les artisans et les agriculteurs. Ils étaient en majorité des hommes et chefs de ménage. Leur âge a varié entre 33 et 58 ans et leur expérience entre 10 et 20 ans. La motivation des éleveurs était liée à la rusticité et la productivité des porcs. La race de porc majoritairement élevée était le porc local. La taille du troupeau variait entre 10 et 23 têtes. Les cheptels regorgeaient des porcs de tous les stades physiologiques à part les verrats qui étaient en nombre réduit. L'élevage porcin est l'apanage de presque tous les groupes sociolinguistiques et socioprofessionnels au Sud du Bénin. Un appui politique au profit de cette activité sera un grand atout pour la réduction de la pauvreté au Bénin. © 2017 International Formulae Group. All rights reserved.Mots clés : Caractéristiques des éleveurs, élevage de porcs, enquête transversale et rétrospective, porc local, Sud-Bénin.D. DJIMENOU et al. / Int. J. Biol. Chem. Sci. 11(5): 2177-2193, 2017 2178 Socio-demographic characteristics of pig producers and structure of pig herd in South of Benin ABSTRACT Pigs breeding in rural areas, an economically profitable activity, is less explored in Benin. To determine the characteristics of producers and the structure of pig herds in South of Benin, a transverse and retrospective investigation coupled with direct observations of pig herds was led using 105 pig breeders. Results showed that breeders belonged to three great sociolinguistic groups comprising Fon, Adja and Yoruba, and were dominated by craftsmen and farmers. Breeders were in majority men and heads of household. Their age varied between 33 and 58 years and their practice between 10 and 20 years. Breeders' motivation was related to the rusticity and the productivity of pigs. The local pig was the mostly used breed. The herds size varied between 10 and 23 heads. Herds were composed of pigs at different physiological stages except boars that were of reduced number. Pigs breeding is a prerogative activity of almost all sociolinguistic and socio-professional groups in South of Benin. Therefore, a political support of this activity will be a large asset for the reduction of poverty in Benin.

Up to 173 African sires belonging to 11 different subpopulations representative of four cattle groups were analysed for six Y-specific microsatellite loci and a mitochondrial DNA fragment. Differences in Y-chromosome and mtDNA haplotype structuring were assessed. In addition, the effect of such structuring on contributions to total genetic diversity was assessed. Thirty-five Y-chromosome and 71 mtDNA haplotypes were identified. Most Y-chromosomes analysed (73.4%) were of zebu origin (11 haplotypes). Twenty-two Y-haplotypes (44 samples) belonged to the African taurine subfamily Y2a. All mtDNA haplotypes belonged to the "African" taurine T1 haplogroup with 16 samples and nine haplotypes belonging to a recently identified subhaplogroup (T1e). Median-joining networks showed that Y-chromosome phylogenies were highly reticulated with clear separation between zebu and taurine clusters. Mitochondrial haplotypes showed a clear star-like shape with small number of mutations separating haplotypes. Mitochondrial-based F -statistics computed between cattle groups tended to be statistically non-significant (p > .05). Most F values computed among groups and subpopulations using Y-chromosome markers were statistically significant. AMOVA confirmed that divergence between cattle groups was only significant for Y-chromosome markers (Φ = 0.209). At the mitochondrial level, African sires resembled an undifferentiated population with individuals explaining 94.3% of the total variance. Whatever the markers considered, the highest contributions to total Nei's gene diversity and allelic richness were found in West African cattle. Genetic structuring had no effect on patterns of contributions to diversity.