A study on morphology and morphometric parameters on skull of the Bardhoka autochthonous sheep breed in Kosovo

Abstract

In this study, we aim to investigate the skull of Bardhoka sheep, which is the native breed of Kosovo by utilising normal morphometric methods. Differences between male and female were also statistically analysed. Further, the parameters that can be used in gender discrimination were also analysed. The statistical analysis was based on a sample of 24 adult skulls of Bardhoka breed with 12 female and 12 male skulls. Altogether, 31 different measurements were taken morphologically and 7 different indices were applied. Except for the measurement's values of the orbit, measurement's values of length of the cheek tooth row and the measurement's values of height of the foramen magnum, all the measured values of males were higher than females. Nasal index, cranium index and skull index values were statistically significant between both genders. It is envisaged that the findings of this study will motivate and assist other comparative studies with other autochthonous sheep and goat breeds found in the Dukagjini region or in clinical veterinary practice and even in zooarchaeology.

Morphological Studies on the Skull Bones of Indian Mithun (Bos frontalis)

“…The nuchal surface of the skull was formed by the occipital bone as also reported earlier in camel (Shahid and Kausar, 2005), blackbuck (Choudhary and Singh, 2016) and Bardhoka autochthonous sheep breed (Gündemir et al, 2020). The placement of occipital bone in mithun resembled that of horse (Getty, 1975), camel (Singh, 1984), dog (Miller et al, 1964), chital (Ramswarup, 2011) and blackbuck (Choudhary and Singh, 2016).…”

Examination of the morphometric features and three-dimensional modelling of the skull in Van cats by using computed tomographic images

“…In general, it has been determined that the craniometric measurement values are higher mostly in males compared to females in both humans and animals (7,17,26,30,34,46). It was also determined that 28 measurement parameters among 37 measurement parameters obtained in Van cats together with the volumetric measurement value and the surface area of skull were higher in the male cats compared to the female cats, which is compatible with the literature data.…”

Morphometric analysis of the mandible of Bardhoka autochthonous sheep in Kosovo

“…Although there have been similar studies previously done (Gündemir et al., 2020), no osteometric studies have been performed on mandible of male and female Bardhoka sheep in Kosovo. Our study includes osteometric measurements between male and female Bardhoka sheep, and we hope that our study will provide reference values for comparison in different breeds of sheep.…”

“…Although there have been similar studies previously done (Gündemir et al, 2020), no osteometric studies have been performed on mandible of male and female Bardhoka sheep in Kosovo.…”

“…Furthermore, there is a study showing the relationship between sheep, goat and roe deer mandible (Onuk, Kabak, & Atalar, 2013) and also a gazelle mandible study (Yılmaz & Demircioğlu, 2019) as all these animals are referred as small ruminants. A recent study on the skulls of Bardhoka sheep (Gündemir et al, 2020) also shows us the importance and increasing interest on this breed in Kosovo.…”