Discovery of a potential new goat breed (Capra hircus) from existing non- descript goat population in hot semi-arid ecosystem of India

Abstract

The present investigation was carried out on 1070 local goats named as “Udgiri goat” in 242 villages from eleven districts of Marathwada and western Maharashtra region of India during 2018 to 2021. The marathwada region is considered as most drought prone region in India with scanty rainfall. The attempt was made to identify new goat breed from the existing non-descript goat population. The least square means for live body weight of adult Udgiri goat above 15 months age was observed as 41.45 ± 2.54 kg and 31.42 ± 2.27 kg in male and female, respectively which was highest as compared to other recognized goat breeds in the state. The average body length 73.45 ± 2.23 cm, height at withers 71.63 ± 1.68 cm, chest girth 71.46 ± 1.72 cm, paunch girth 73.54 ± 3.88 cm, tail length 15.50 ± 1.94 cm, horn length 18.96 ± 1.18 cm and ear length is 22.23 ± 2.27 cm in male. While, in female goat, the average body length is 69.23 ± 2.55 cm, height at withers is 69.60 ± 1.45 cm, chest girth is 71.45 ± 1.88 cm, paunch girth is 74.24 ± 1.83 cm, tail length is 15.52 ± 2.96 cm, horn length is 19.52 ± 1.26 cm and ear length is 21.73 ± 2.91 cm was observed. The unique phenotypic characteristics of Udgiri goat is typically black and white in colour with white colour on the entire abdominal region, white mark on the forehead adds more value to this animal for meat purpose. The pearson correlations was studied to establish the relationship of live body weight with linear body measurement parameters viz. body length, height at withers, chest girth, paunch girth, tail length, horn length and ear length in four age groups viz. 3 months, 6 months, 9 months and adult i.e. >15 months. The multiple linear regressions analysis was performed to study the relationship between live body weights and body measurements parameters. It was revealed that, the highest and positive significant correlation was noticed between live body weight and almost all body measurement parameters in all four age groups. The highest positive significant correlation (0.82) was found between live body weight and body length in the group of adult goat hence, it may be used as selection criteria for goat and selection based upon these body measurements should improve the meat production. The multiple linear regression model revealed high level of coefficient of determination (R2 = 0.95) and low (0.0817) RMSE was for prediction of live body weight using linear body measurements parameters. The multiple linear regression equation is sufficient to be used in the estimation of live weight from linear body measurements in goat raised in the most drought proven areas of India. The genetic constitution using the microsatellite data analysis revealed the overall Shannon’s Information Index as 1.346 with the average heterozygosity value of was 0.808 ± 0.124. Most of the studied loci showed the polymorphic information content value more than 0.5 except ILSTS029 and ILSTS065 locus. The PIC values varied from 0.269 (ILSTS065) to 0.789 (ETH225) across loci with a mean value of 0.640. The uniquely identified goat genetic resource from the existing non-describe population has a potential to recognize new goat breed of the country. Its in-situ conservation in India’s most drought prone region is important to facilitate the access for genetic improvement and further development for rural farmers.