Morphological differentiation amongst Zulu sheep populations in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, as revealed by multivariate analysis

Abstract

Understanding morphological structure and variation of Zulu sheep is crucial for its identification and preservation. We measured fourteen linear body measurements and scored 5 qualitative traits to evaluate the morphological variation and relationships among eight Zulu sheep populations in KwaZulu-Natal. Sheep were sampled from Empangeni, Escourt, Eshowe, Jozini, Msinga, Mtubatuba, Nongoma, and Nquthu rural communities. Dark brown coat colour, either in solid form or white patched, was most frequent amongst studied sheep. There were significant variations in body measurements amongst sheep populations from different areas. Sheep from Nqutu measured highest in most morphometric variables while sheep from Empangeni measured lowest. Discriminant analysis identified rump-width, head-width, heart-girth, thorax-depth and tail-length as the most distinguishing variables amongst sheep populations. Hierarchical cluster analysis revealed two major groups, one formed by Empangeni, Mtubatuba and Nongoma, the other by Jozini, Msinga and Eshowe populations. Estcourt and Nqutu distanced themselves from these groups as individual entities. About 62% of individual sheep could be correctly identified with the populations from which they were sampled. Nqutu had the highest percentage (88.9%) of correct assignment whilst Mtubatuba had the lowest (46.7%). High assignment errors were ascribed to a certain gene flow between sheep populations. The overall significant morphostructural variation amongst Zulu sheep populations, infers considerable genetic variability within the breed and its populations. Maintaining this genetic variation is very crucial for the continuity of the breed, as it provides animals with options to respond to change in climate, disease or consumer preference.

Phenotypic Diversity of South African Indigenous Goat Population in Selected Rural Areas

“…The low occurrence of polledness in indigenous goat populations has been reported in Ghana (Hagan et al, 2012). The morphological differentiation were also observed in other species such as Zulu sheep populations in South Africa using multivariate analysis (Mavule et al, 2016).…”

“…Characterisation of livestock breeds based on their morphological traits variations (Mavule et al, 2016;Delgado et al, 2001) is the first step towards the use of the available Animal Genetic Resources (Kunene et al, 2006;Lanari et al, 2003). Phenotypic quantitative characteristics are measures of animal body parts (Belay and Meseretu, 2017;FAO, 2012;Pieters et al, 2009) and are more directly associated to production characteristics when compared to phenotypic qualitative characteristics (Manzi et al, 2011;Jimcy et al, 2011).…”

Multivariate analysis of the milk coagulation process in ovine breeds from Spain

“…There has been an increasing interest in the characterization of Spanish dairy sheep breeds, especially toward the development of quality marks such as PDO and PGI (Gaspar et al, 2011). In recent years several authors have focused on morphological variability to characterize different small ruminant breeds (Carneiro et al, 2010;Rodero et al, 2015;Mavule et al, 2016). However, so far, no studies have discriminated between dairy breeds focusing on milk compositional or technological quality.…”

The Current Status of Indigenous Ovine Genetic Resources in Southern Africa and Future Sustainable Utilisation to Improve Livelihoods

“…Therefore, genetic material from this breed should flow from the current conserved populations to smallholder farmers. Many farmers use large-frame exotic rams as terminal sires to increase the carcass value of the progeny of indigenous dams [43]. Such farmers typically share common water points and pastures where animals are not isolated from each other, thereby facilitating gene flow from exotic to indigenous populations.…”