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Current IssueEditorial BoardOnline First ArticlesArchive

volume 49 issue 4 (august 2015) : 527-531,   Doi: 10.5958/0976-0555.2015.00052.7

Morphological differentiation of indigenous goats in different agro-ecological zones of Vhembe district, Limpopo province, South Africa

T
Tlou C. Selolo
M
Majela L. Mashiloane
D
David Norris
J
Jones W. Ng’ambi
D
David Brown
1Department of Animal Production, University of Limpopo, Private Bag X1106, Sovenga, 0727, South Africa.
Cite article:- Selolo C. Tlou, Mashiloane L. Majela, Norris David, Ng’ambi W. Jones, Brown David (2025). Morphological differentiation of indigenous goats in different agro-ecological zones of Vhembe district, Limpopo province, South Africa. Indian Journal of Animal Research. 49(4): 527-531. doi: 10.5958/0976-0555.2015.00052.7.

ABSTRACT

The study was carried out to differentiate indigenous female goats in different agro-ecological zones based on their morphological traits. 551 mature female goats from semi-arid, dry sub-humid and humid agro-ecological zones were considered in this study. The morphological traits analysed were Body Weight, Body Length, Shoulder Height, Hip Height and Heart Girth. Stepwise discriminant analysis was used to check the discriminating power of the variables. Canonical discriminant procedure was applied to determine differences between indigenous goats in different zones. The analysis showed that all the variables measured have discriminating power. In canonical discriminant analysis, the first canonical variable determined was significant and accounted for 91.87% of the variation, but the second canonical variable was not significant and accounted 8.13% of the variation. The pairwise Mahalanobis distances between indigenous goats in semi-arid and dry sub-humid as well as between semi-arid and humid were significant. The pairwise distance between goats in dry sub-humid and humid was not significant. Discriminant model function correctly allocated 60.31% (semi-arid), 58.06% (humid) and 38.46% (dry sub-humid) of indigenous goats into their original agro-ecological zone.

REFERENCES

  1. Abegaz, S., Hegde, B.P. and Taye, M. (2011). Growth and physical body characteristics of Gumuz sheep under traditional management systems in Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia. Livestock Research for Rural Development. Vol. 23, Art. #117. Retrieved 22 June 2012 from http://www.lrrd.org/lrrd23/5/abeg23117.htm
  2. Agga, G.E., Udda, U., Regassa, F. and Wudie, A. (2011). Body measurements of bucks of three goat breeds in Ethiopia and their correlation to breed, age and testicular measurements. Small Ruminant Res., 95: 133-138.
  3. Ajayi, O.O., Yakubu, A., Jayeola, O.O., Imumorin, I.G., Adeleke, M.A., Takeet, M.I., Ozoje, M.O., Ikeobi, C.O.N. and Peters, S.O. (2012). Multivariate analysis of sexual size dimorphism in domestic turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) in Nigeria. Trop. Anim. Health Prod., 44(5):1089-1095. In press
  4. Birteeb, P.T., Peters, S.O., Yakubu, A., Adeleke, M.A. and Ozoje, M.O. (2013). Multivariate characterisation of the phenotypic traits of Djallonke and Sahel sheep in Northern Ghana. Trop. Anim. Health Prod., 45: 267-274.
  5. Botsime, B.D. (2006). Influence of the agro-ecological region on selected anthropometrical measurements of Nguni cattle in South Africa. M. Inst. Agrar. dissertation. (Unpublished). Dept. of Animal Science, University of Pretoria, South Africa.
  6. Cam M.A, Olfaz, M. and Soydan, E. (2010). Possibilities of using morphometric characteristics as a tool for body weight prediction in Turkish hair goats (Kilkeci). Asian J. Anim. Vet. Adv., 5 (1): 52-59.
  7. Capote, J., Delgado, J.V., Fresno, M., Camacho, M.E. and Molina, A. (1998). Morphological variability in the Canary goat population. Small Ruminant Res., 27: 167-172.
  8. Carneiro H, Louvandini, H., Paiva, S.R., Macedo, F., Mernies, B. and McManus, C. (2010). Morphological characterization of sheep breeds in Brazil, Uruguay and Colombia. Small Ruminant Res., 94:58-65.
  9. Coopman, F., De Smet, S., Laevens, H., Van Zeveren, A. and Duchateau, L. (2009). Live weight assessment based on easily accessible morphometric characteristics in the double-muscled Belgian Blue beef breed. Liv. Sci., 125: 318-322.
  10. Dekhili, M., Bounechada, M. and Mannalah, I. (2013). Multivariate analyses of morphological traits in Algerian goats, Sétif, north-eastern Algeria. Anim. Genet., 52: 51-57.
  11. Dossa, L.H., Wollny, C. and Gauly, M. (2007). Spatial variation in goat populations from Benin as revealed by multivariate analysis of morphological traits. Small Ruminant Res., 73: 150-159.
  12. Fourie, P.J., Neser, F.W.C., Olivier, J.J. and Van der Westhuizen, C. (2002). Relationship between production performance, visual appraisal and body measurements of young Dorper rams. South African J. Anim. Sci., 32(4): 256-262.
  13. Gizaw S, van Arendonk, J.A.M., Komen, H., Windig, J.J. and Hanotte, O. (2007). Population structure, genetic variation and morphological diversity in indigenous sheep of Ethiopia. Anim. Genet., 38:621-628.
  14. Gwaze, F.R., Chimonyo, M. and Dzama, K. (2009). Communal goat production in Southern Africa: A review. Trop. Anim. Health and Prod., 41: 1157 – 1168.
  15. Hagan, J.K., Apori, S.O., Bosompem, M., Ankobea, G. and Mawuli, A. (2012). Morphological characteristics of indigenous goats in the coastal savannah and forest eco-zones of Ghana. J. Anim. Sci. Adv., 2(10): 813-821.
  16. Katongole, J.B.D., Sebolai, B. and Madimabe, M.J. (1996). Morphological characterization of the Tswana goat. In: S.H.B Lebbie and E. Kagwani (ed.) Small Ruminant Research and Development in Africa. Proc. 3rd Biennial Conference of the African Small Ruminant Research Network, UICC, Kampala, Uganda, 5-9 Dec. 1994.pp. 43-46.
  17. Low, A.B., and Robelo, A.G. (1996). Vegetation of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland. A companion of the vegetation map of South Africa. Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Pretoria.
  18. Ndumu, D.B., Baumung, R., Hanotte, O., Wurzinger, M., Okeyo, M.A., Jianlin, H., Kibogo, H. and Sölkner, J. (2008). Genetic and morphological characterisation of the Ankole Longhorn cattle in the African Great Lakes region. Genet. Sel. Evol., 40: 467– 490.
  19. Odubote, I.K (1994). Influence of qualitative traits on the performance of West African Dwarf goat. Nigerian J. Anim. Prod., 21:25-28
  20. Ogah, D.M. (2013). Canonical Discriminant Analysis of morphometric traits in Indigenous chicken genotypes. Trakia J. Sci., 11 (2): 170-174.
  21. Okpeku, M., A. Yakubu, A., Peters, S.O., Ozoje, M.O., Ikeobi, C.O.N., Adebambo, O.A. and Imumorin, I.G. (2011). Application of multivariate principal component analysis to morphological characterization of indigenous goats in Southern Nigeria. Acta Agric. Slov., 98(2): 101 – 109.
  22. Riva, J., Rizzi, R., Marelli, S. and Cavalchini, L.G. (2004). Body measurements in Bergamasca sheep. Small Ruminant Res., 55: 221-227.
  23. Sebei, P.J., Mccrindle, C.M.E. and Webb, E.C. (2004). Factors influencing weaning percentages of indigenous goats on communal grazing. South African J. Anim. Sci., 34(1):130-133.
  24. Statistical Analysis Systems. 2009. SAS 9.3 Qualification Tools User’s Guide. SAS Institute Inc: Cary N.C.
  25. Sun W, H. Chang, Z.J Ren, Z.P Yang, R.Q Geng, and K. Tsunoda (2004). Multivariate statistical analysis of morphological and ecological characters of some sheep populations in China. Sci. Agric. Sin., 37:285-290.
  26. Thomas, R. (2003). Crop production in the Limpopo Province. In: Nesamvuni, A.E., S.A. Oni, J.J.O. Oqhiambo, and N.D. Nthakheni, (eds.) Agriculture as the cornerstone of the economy of the Limpopo province of South Africa. Thohoyandou, South Africa: University of Venda Science and Technology.
  27. Traoré, A., Tamboura, H.H., kaboré, A., Royo, L.I., Fernández, I., Álvarez, I., Sangaré, M., Bouchel, D., Poivey, J.P., Francois, D., Sawadogo, L. and Goyache, F. (2008a). Multivariate analyses on morphological traits of goats in Burkina Faso. Archiv. Tierzucht. Dummerstorf, 51(6): 588 – 600.
  28. Traoré, A., Tamboura, H.H., kaboré, A., Royo, L.I., Fernández, I., Álvarez, I., Sangaré, M., Bouchel, D., Poivey, J.P., Francois, D., Sawadogo, L. and Goyache, F. (2008b). Multivariate characterization of morphological traits in Burkina Faso sheep. Small Ruminant Res., 80: 62 – 67.
  29. Webb, E.C. and Mamabolo, M.J. (2004). Production and reproduction characteristics of South African indigenous goats in communal farming systems. South African J. Anim. Sci. 34(1): 236-239.
  30. Yakubu A. and Akinyemi, M.O (2010). An evaluation of sexual size dimorphism in Uda sheep using multifactorial discriminant analysis. Acta Agric. Scand Section A Anim. Sci. 60: (2) 74-78.
  31. Yakubu A, Salako, A.E., Imumorin, I.G., Ige, A.O. and Akinyemi, M.O. (2010). Discriminant analysis of morphometric differentiation in the West African Dwarf and Red Sokoto goats. South African J. Anim. Sci. 40:381-387.
  32. Yakubu, A., Idahor, K.O., Haruna, H.S., Wheto, M. and Amusan, S. (2010a). Multivariate analysis of phenotypic differentiation in Bunaji and Sokoto Gudali cattle. Acta. Agric. Slov., 96(2): 75-80.
  33. Yakubu, A., Salako, A.E, and Imumorin, I.G (2011b). Comparative multivariate analysis of biometric traits of West African Dwarf and Red Sokoto goats. Trop. Anim. Health Prod., 43: 561-566.
  34. Yakubu A and Ibrahim, I.A. (2011). Multivariate analysis of morphostructural characteristics in Nigerian Indigenous sheep. Ital. J. Anim. Sci., 10: 83-86
  35. Zaitoun, I.S., Tabbaa, M.J. and Bdour, S. (2005). Differentiation of native goat breeds of Jordan on the basis of morphostructural characteristics. Small Ruminant Res., 56: 173-182.
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Indian Journal of Animal Research
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    volume 49 issue 4 (august 2015) : 527-531,   Doi: 10.5958/0976-0555.2015.00052.7

    Morphological differentiation of indigenous goats in different agro-ecological zones of Vhembe district, Limpopo province, South Africa

    T
    Tlou C. Selolo
    M
    Majela L. Mashiloane
    D
    David Norris
    J
    Jones W. Ng’ambi
    D
    David Brown
    1Department of Animal Production, University of Limpopo, Private Bag X1106, Sovenga, 0727, South Africa.
    Cite article:- Selolo C. Tlou, Mashiloane L. Majela, Norris David, Ng’ambi W. Jones, Brown David (2025). Morphological differentiation of indigenous goats in different agro-ecological zones of Vhembe district, Limpopo province, South Africa. Indian Journal of Animal Research. 49(4): 527-531. doi: 10.5958/0976-0555.2015.00052.7.

    ABSTRACT

    The study was carried out to differentiate indigenous female goats in different agro-ecological zones based on their morphological traits. 551 mature female goats from semi-arid, dry sub-humid and humid agro-ecological zones were considered in this study. The morphological traits analysed were Body Weight, Body Length, Shoulder Height, Hip Height and Heart Girth. Stepwise discriminant analysis was used to check the discriminating power of the variables. Canonical discriminant procedure was applied to determine differences between indigenous goats in different zones. The analysis showed that all the variables measured have discriminating power. In canonical discriminant analysis, the first canonical variable determined was significant and accounted for 91.87% of the variation, but the second canonical variable was not significant and accounted 8.13% of the variation. The pairwise Mahalanobis distances between indigenous goats in semi-arid and dry sub-humid as well as between semi-arid and humid were significant. The pairwise distance between goats in dry sub-humid and humid was not significant. Discriminant model function correctly allocated 60.31% (semi-arid), 58.06% (humid) and 38.46% (dry sub-humid) of indigenous goats into their original agro-ecological zone.

    REFERENCES

    1. Abegaz, S., Hegde, B.P. and Taye, M. (2011). Growth and physical body characteristics of Gumuz sheep under traditional management systems in Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia. Livestock Research for Rural Development. Vol. 23, Art. #117. Retrieved 22 June 2012 from http://www.lrrd.org/lrrd23/5/abeg23117.htm
    2. Agga, G.E., Udda, U., Regassa, F. and Wudie, A. (2011). Body measurements of bucks of three goat breeds in Ethiopia and their correlation to breed, age and testicular measurements. Small Ruminant Res., 95: 133-138.
    3. Ajayi, O.O., Yakubu, A., Jayeola, O.O., Imumorin, I.G., Adeleke, M.A., Takeet, M.I., Ozoje, M.O., Ikeobi, C.O.N. and Peters, S.O. (2012). Multivariate analysis of sexual size dimorphism in domestic turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) in Nigeria. Trop. Anim. Health Prod., 44(5):1089-1095. In press
    4. Birteeb, P.T., Peters, S.O., Yakubu, A., Adeleke, M.A. and Ozoje, M.O. (2013). Multivariate characterisation of the phenotypic traits of Djallonke and Sahel sheep in Northern Ghana. Trop. Anim. Health Prod., 45: 267-274.
    5. Botsime, B.D. (2006). Influence of the agro-ecological region on selected anthropometrical measurements of Nguni cattle in South Africa. M. Inst. Agrar. dissertation. (Unpublished). Dept. of Animal Science, University of Pretoria, South Africa.
    6. Cam M.A, Olfaz, M. and Soydan, E. (2010). Possibilities of using morphometric characteristics as a tool for body weight prediction in Turkish hair goats (Kilkeci). Asian J. Anim. Vet. Adv., 5 (1): 52-59.
    7. Capote, J., Delgado, J.V., Fresno, M., Camacho, M.E. and Molina, A. (1998). Morphological variability in the Canary goat population. Small Ruminant Res., 27: 167-172.
    8. Carneiro H, Louvandini, H., Paiva, S.R., Macedo, F., Mernies, B. and McManus, C. (2010). Morphological characterization of sheep breeds in Brazil, Uruguay and Colombia. Small Ruminant Res., 94:58-65.
    9. Coopman, F., De Smet, S., Laevens, H., Van Zeveren, A. and Duchateau, L. (2009). Live weight assessment based on easily accessible morphometric characteristics in the double-muscled Belgian Blue beef breed. Liv. Sci., 125: 318-322.
    10. Dekhili, M., Bounechada, M. and Mannalah, I. (2013). Multivariate analyses of morphological traits in Algerian goats, Sétif, north-eastern Algeria. Anim. Genet., 52: 51-57.
    11. Dossa, L.H., Wollny, C. and Gauly, M. (2007). Spatial variation in goat populations from Benin as revealed by multivariate analysis of morphological traits. Small Ruminant Res., 73: 150-159.
    12. Fourie, P.J., Neser, F.W.C., Olivier, J.J. and Van der Westhuizen, C. (2002). Relationship between production performance, visual appraisal and body measurements of young Dorper rams. South African J. Anim. Sci., 32(4): 256-262.
    13. Gizaw S, van Arendonk, J.A.M., Komen, H., Windig, J.J. and Hanotte, O. (2007). Population structure, genetic variation and morphological diversity in indigenous sheep of Ethiopia. Anim. Genet., 38:621-628.
    14. Gwaze, F.R., Chimonyo, M. and Dzama, K. (2009). Communal goat production in Southern Africa: A review. Trop. Anim. Health and Prod., 41: 1157 – 1168.
    15. Hagan, J.K., Apori, S.O., Bosompem, M., Ankobea, G. and Mawuli, A. (2012). Morphological characteristics of indigenous goats in the coastal savannah and forest eco-zones of Ghana. J. Anim. Sci. Adv., 2(10): 813-821.
    16. Katongole, J.B.D., Sebolai, B. and Madimabe, M.J. (1996). Morphological characterization of the Tswana goat. In: S.H.B Lebbie and E. Kagwani (ed.) Small Ruminant Research and Development in Africa. Proc. 3rd Biennial Conference of the African Small Ruminant Research Network, UICC, Kampala, Uganda, 5-9 Dec. 1994.pp. 43-46.
    17. Low, A.B., and Robelo, A.G. (1996). Vegetation of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland. A companion of the vegetation map of South Africa. Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Pretoria.
    18. Ndumu, D.B., Baumung, R., Hanotte, O., Wurzinger, M., Okeyo, M.A., Jianlin, H., Kibogo, H. and Sölkner, J. (2008). Genetic and morphological characterisation of the Ankole Longhorn cattle in the African Great Lakes region. Genet. Sel. Evol., 40: 467– 490.
    19. Odubote, I.K (1994). Influence of qualitative traits on the performance of West African Dwarf goat. Nigerian J. Anim. Prod., 21:25-28
    20. Ogah, D.M. (2013). Canonical Discriminant Analysis of morphometric traits in Indigenous chicken genotypes. Trakia J. Sci., 11 (2): 170-174.
    21. Okpeku, M., A. Yakubu, A., Peters, S.O., Ozoje, M.O., Ikeobi, C.O.N., Adebambo, O.A. and Imumorin, I.G. (2011). Application of multivariate principal component analysis to morphological characterization of indigenous goats in Southern Nigeria. Acta Agric. Slov., 98(2): 101 – 109.
    22. Riva, J., Rizzi, R., Marelli, S. and Cavalchini, L.G. (2004). Body measurements in Bergamasca sheep. Small Ruminant Res., 55: 221-227.
    23. Sebei, P.J., Mccrindle, C.M.E. and Webb, E.C. (2004). Factors influencing weaning percentages of indigenous goats on communal grazing. South African J. Anim. Sci., 34(1):130-133.
    24. Statistical Analysis Systems. 2009. SAS 9.3 Qualification Tools User’s Guide. SAS Institute Inc: Cary N.C.
    25. Sun W, H. Chang, Z.J Ren, Z.P Yang, R.Q Geng, and K. Tsunoda (2004). Multivariate statistical analysis of morphological and ecological characters of some sheep populations in China. Sci. Agric. Sin., 37:285-290.
    26. Thomas, R. (2003). Crop production in the Limpopo Province. In: Nesamvuni, A.E., S.A. Oni, J.J.O. Oqhiambo, and N.D. Nthakheni, (eds.) Agriculture as the cornerstone of the economy of the Limpopo province of South Africa. Thohoyandou, South Africa: University of Venda Science and Technology.
    27. Traoré, A., Tamboura, H.H., kaboré, A., Royo, L.I., Fernández, I., Álvarez, I., Sangaré, M., Bouchel, D., Poivey, J.P., Francois, D., Sawadogo, L. and Goyache, F. (2008a). Multivariate analyses on morphological traits of goats in Burkina Faso. Archiv. Tierzucht. Dummerstorf, 51(6): 588 – 600.
    28. Traoré, A., Tamboura, H.H., kaboré, A., Royo, L.I., Fernández, I., Álvarez, I., Sangaré, M., Bouchel, D., Poivey, J.P., Francois, D., Sawadogo, L. and Goyache, F. (2008b). Multivariate characterization of morphological traits in Burkina Faso sheep. Small Ruminant Res., 80: 62 – 67.
    29. Webb, E.C. and Mamabolo, M.J. (2004). Production and reproduction characteristics of South African indigenous goats in communal farming systems. South African J. Anim. Sci. 34(1): 236-239.
    30. Yakubu A. and Akinyemi, M.O (2010). An evaluation of sexual size dimorphism in Uda sheep using multifactorial discriminant analysis. Acta Agric. Scand Section A Anim. Sci. 60: (2) 74-78.
    31. Yakubu A, Salako, A.E., Imumorin, I.G., Ige, A.O. and Akinyemi, M.O. (2010). Discriminant analysis of morphometric differentiation in the West African Dwarf and Red Sokoto goats. South African J. Anim. Sci. 40:381-387.
    32. Yakubu, A., Idahor, K.O., Haruna, H.S., Wheto, M. and Amusan, S. (2010a). Multivariate analysis of phenotypic differentiation in Bunaji and Sokoto Gudali cattle. Acta. Agric. Slov., 96(2): 75-80.
    33. Yakubu, A., Salako, A.E, and Imumorin, I.G (2011b). Comparative multivariate analysis of biometric traits of West African Dwarf and Red Sokoto goats. Trop. Anim. Health Prod., 43: 561-566.
    34. Yakubu A and Ibrahim, I.A. (2011). Multivariate analysis of morphostructural characteristics in Nigerian Indigenous sheep. Ital. J. Anim. Sci., 10: 83-86
    35. Zaitoun, I.S., Tabbaa, M.J. and Bdour, S. (2005). Differentiation of native goat breeds of Jordan on the basis of morphostructural characteristics. Small Ruminant Res., 56: 173-182.
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