A Morphometric study of the craniofacial region of basic white and basic brown sahel goat ecotypes in Nigeria

Abstract

This study involved the measurements of some parameters in the craniofacial regions of the basically white and the basically brown Sahel goat ecotypes in Nigeria. The mean±SD weights of their heads were 1.13±0.45kg and 1.19±0.19kg respectively. The lengths ofrima oris were 11.19=1:1.09cm for the basic white and 10.80±0.75cm for the basic brown ecotype. The palpebral fissure lengths were asymmetrical in both ecotypes. Similar asymmetries were observed in the lengths of external nares of both ecotypes with the right being insignificantly longer than the left (2.59±0.30cm, 2.59±0.32cm for the white and 2.54±0.21cm, 2.58±0.20cm for the brown ecotypes). The basic white ecotypes had longer and pendulous external ears (15.86=1.79cm and 16.46±1.20cm) and wider orbital rim circumferences (10.76±1.76cm and 10.74±1.52cm) with significant differences (p<0.05) than the basic brown ecotypes with 15.25±0.94cm andl5.07±1.67cmlengths of external ears and 9.16±0.43cm and 9.12±0.44cm orbital rim circumferences respectively.
The findings here will help in the selection procedures of these ecotypes of goats on the farm for breeding purposes into pure-lines of the Sahel, Kano brown or Red Sokoto (Maradi) goat breeds. It will also provide information for the comparative anatomy of the basically white and the basically brown ecotypes with other breeds (Red Sokoto and Kano Brown) of goats.

Keywords: Morphometric, Craniofacial parameters, Basic white, Basic brown, Sahel goat

Sahel Journal of Veterinary Science Vol. 7 (1) 2008: pp. 1-7