Multivariate analysis of phenotypic traits of indigenous sheep revealed new population in western part of Ethiopia

Abstract

This study was carried out to phenotypically characterize and differentiate sheep populations of Western part of Ethiopia. Physical observations and body weight and linear measurements were studied. Multivariate canonical and discriminant analysis were employed to differentiate population. Three districts; Dendi, Guduru and Mida Kegn districts were selected purposely based on sheep production potential and previous characterization studies. For example, majority of male sheep in Dendi district had horn while majority are polled in Guduru and Mida Kegn districts. The two canonical variates extracted explain a total of 100% of the total variation (80.6% by Can1 and 19.4% by Can2). The Can1 and Can2 presented high weighing for ear length and pelvic width, respectively. It showed that these traits demonstrating their importance to discriminate and to classify the sheep population in the areas. Sheep population of Dendi, Guduru and Mida Kegn districts were correctly grouped into their own geographical area for about 71.15%, 54.62% and 69.23%, respectively. The largest mahalanobis distance was found between sheep population in Dendi and Guduru (2.27). The smallest distance was found between Guduru and Mida Kegni with mahalanobis distance of 0.649. These results showed that sheep population in Dendi was found to be unique and confi rmed the existence of two populations (Dendi and Guduru-Mida Kegn) in the study area.

Husbandry practices and phenotypic characterization of indigenous sheep types in Gurage Zone, Southern Ethiopia

“…Some communities related special cultural values to their sheep and exclude the use of breeding stock from other populations resulting in cultural barrier to gene flow (Melesse et al, 2013). Studies also indicated that morphological diversity follows ecological patterns and production systems (Wagari et al, 2020). Sheep production in the mixed crop-livestock production systems of the highland areas has a vital role in contributing to the food security and generating cash income in Ethiopia in general, in Gurage zone in particular.…”