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Morphological characterization of indigenous sheep in Southern Regional State, Ethiopia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 April 2013

Aberra Melesse ,
Sandip Banerjee ,
Admasu Lakew ,
Fekadu Mersha ,
Fsahatsion Hailemariam ,
Shimelis Tsegaye  and
Tafesse Makebo
Aberra Melesse*
Affiliation:
School of Animal and Range Sciences, Hawassa University, Hawassa, Ethiopia
Sandip Banerjee
Affiliation:
School of Animal and Range Sciences, Hawassa University, Hawassa, Ethiopia
Admasu Lakew
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Range and Wilde Life Sciences, Mekele University, Mekele, Ethiopia
Fekadu Mersha
Affiliation:
Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Guraghe Zone, Ethiopia
Fsahatsion Hailemariam
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Science and Eco-tourism Management, Axum University, Axum, Ethiopia
Shimelis Tsegaye
Affiliation:
Gambela ATVET College, Gambella Regional State, Ethiopia
Tafesse Makebo
Affiliation:
Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Kembata Tembaro Zone, Ethiopia
*
Correspondence to: Aberra Melesse, School of Animal and Range Sciences, Hawassa University, PO Box 5, Hawassa, Ethiopia. email: a_melesse@hu.edu.et; a_melesse@yahoo.com.
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Summary

Information on morphological characteristics is a prerequisite to sustainable breed improvement, utilization and conservation. The present study was initiated to describe the physical and morphological characteristics of indigenous sheep reared in Sidama-Gedeo, Kembata Tembaro-Hadiya, Gurage-Silte, Gamogofa and Wolaita zones of Southern Regional State of Ethiopia. Data on the assessment of qualitative characters and linear body measurements were obtained from a total of 3966 sheep that were drawn from 928 households. The results indicated that the most common tail form in the Sidama-Gedeo, Kembata Tembaro-Hadiya, Gurage-Silte and Wolaita sheep was of long fat type ending with a straight tip, whereas that of Gamogofa sheep was long thin tail ending with a curve tip. Hair coat colour pattern was mainly plain followed by patchy. The common hair of sheep in all studied zones was short and smooth. Sheep from Sidama-Gedeo, Kembata Tembaro-Hadiya and Gurage-Silte were devoid of wattle and ruff. Rams of Gurage-Silte and Wolaita had higher (P < 0.05) body weight values than those of other locations. Ewes of Sidama-Gedeo and Wolaita had relatively high (P < 0.05) body weight, whereas those of Gurage-Silte, Gamogofa and Wolaita had significantly high chest girth values. Gurage-Silte and Gamogofa rams had large (P < 0.05) chest girth values. The height at withers was high (P < 0.05) for both sexes in Sidama-Gedeo, Kembata Tembaro-Hadiya and Wolaita sheep. The highest body length was obtained from Wolaita rams, followed by Gamogofa and Kembata Tembaro-Hadiya rams, whereas the lowest body length was obtained from Gurage-Silte rams. Ewes of Sidama-Gedeo had higher (P < 0.05) body length values than those of other zones. The dendrogram indicated a close association among the sheep of Kembata Tembaro-Hadiya, Gurage-Silte and Sidama-Gedeo. However, sheep in Wolaita and Gamogofa were more distantly associated with those of the three zones. It can be concluded that the sheep in the study zones may possess unique adaptive features useful in designing sustainable sheep improvement strategies. However, a molecular-based genetic assessment of the population structure found in the study region might be given due consideration.

Resumen

Disponer de información sobre los caracteres morfológicos es un prerrequisito para la mejora, utilización y conservación sostenible de las razas. El presente estudio se inició con el fin de describir las características físicas y morfológicas del ganado ovino autóctono criado en las zonas de Sidama-Gedeo, Kembata Tembaro-Hadiya, Gurage-Silte, Gamo-Gofa y Wolayta en la Región Pueblos del Sur de Etiopía. Para la determinación de los caracteres cualitativos y de las medidas corporales lineales, se recogieron datos de un total de 3966 animales procedentes de 928 hogares. Los resultados indicaron que la forma más común de cola en las ovejas de las zonas de Sidama-Gedeo, Kembata Tembaro-Hadiya, Gurage-Silte y Wolayta fue una cola larga de tipo graso terminada en una punta recta mientras que la forma de cola más común en las ovejas de Gamo-Gofa fue una cola larga y estrecha terminada en una punta curva. El patrón de color del pelaje fue principalmente uniforme seguido de patrones moteados. En todas las zonas estudiadas, el pelo de las ovejas fue comúnmente corto y liso. Las ovejas de Sidama-Gedeo, Kembata Tembaro-Hadiya y Gurage-Silte estuvieron desprovistas de mamellas y de melena en el cuello. Los carneros de Gurage-Silte y Wolayta tuvieron un peso corporal mayor (P < 0.05) que los de otras zonas. Las ovejas de Sidama-Gedeo y Wolayta tuvieron un peso corporal comparativamente mayor (P < 0.05) mientras que las de Gurage-Silte, Gamo-Gofa y Wolayta presentaron una mayor circunferencia pectoral. Los carneros de Gurage-Silte y Gamo-Gofa tuvieron unos valores de circunferencia pectoral elevados (P < 0.05). La altura a la cruz fue mayor (P < 0.05) para ambos sexos en el ganado de Sidama-Gedeo, Kembata Tembaro-Hadiya y Wolayta. La mayor longitud corporal se obtuvo en los carneros Wolayta, seguidos por los de Gamo-Gofa y Kembata Tembaro-Hadiya, mientras que la menor fue la de los carneros de Gurage-Silte. Las ovejas de Sidama-Gedeo tuvieron mayores (P < 0.05) longitudes corporales que las de otras zonas. El dendograma indicó una vinculación cercana entre las ovejas de Kembata Tembaro-Hadiya, Gurage-Silte y Sidama-Gedeo. No obstante, la vinculación de las ovejas de estas tres zonas con las ovejas de Wolayta y Gamo-Gofa fue más lejana. Se puede concluir que las ovejas de las zonas de estudio podrían poseer rasgos adaptativos únicos, útiles para el diseño de estrategias sostenibles de mejora del ganado ovino. Sin embargo, se debe considerar detenidamente una evaluación genética, con base molecular, de la estructura poblacional encontrada en el área de estudio.

Résumé

Disposer d'information sur les caractéristiques morphologiques est un prérequis pour l'amélioration, l'utilisation et la conservation durables des races. La présente étude a été entamée dans le but de décrire les caractéristiques physiques et morphologiques des ovins indigènes élevés dans les zones de Sidama-Gedeo, Kembata Tembaro-Hadiya, Gurage-Silte, Gamu-Gofa et Wolayta dans la Région des Peuples du Sud en Éthiopie. Les données utilisées pour la détermination des caractères qualitatifs et les mesures corporelles linéaires furent obtenues sur un total de 3966 moutons provenant de 928 ménages. Les résultats ont indiqué que la forme la plus commune de queue chez les moutons des zones de Sidama-Gedeo, Kembata Tembaro-Hadiya, Gurage-Silte et Wolayta a été une queue longue et grasse terminant en une pointe droite alors que la queue des moutons du Gamu-Gofa a été une queue longue et fine terminant en une pointe courbe. Le patron des couleurs du pelage a été principalement uniforme suivi de dessins tachetés. Dans toutes les zones d’étude, le pelage des moutons a été généralement court et lisse. Les moutons de Sidama-Gedeo, Kembata Tembaro-Hadiya et Gurage-Silte n'ont présenté ni de pendeloques ni de crinière sur le cou. Les béliers de Gurage-Silte et Wolayta ont eu un poids corporel plus élevé (P < 0.05) que ceux d'autres zones. Les brebis de Sidama-Gedeo et Wolayta ont eu un poids corporel relativement élevé (P < 0.05) alors que celles de Gurage-Silte, Gamu-Gofa et Wolayta ont présenté une plus grande circonférence pectorale. Les béliers de Gurage-Silte et Gamu-Gofa ont eu des valeurs de circonférence pectorale élevées (P < 0.05). Pour les deux sexes, la hauteur au garrot a été élevée (P < 0.05) chez les moutons de Sidama-Gedeo, Kembata Tembaro-Hadiya et Wolayta. La plus grande longitude corporelle a été reportée chez les béliers Wolayta, suivis par les béliers de Gamu-Gofa et Kembata Tembaro-Hadiya, alors que la plus courte a été celle des béliers de Gurage-Silte. Les brebis de Sidama-Gedeo ont présenté des valeurs de longitude corporelle plus élevées (P < 0.05) que celles des autres zones. Le dendrogramme a indiqué un lien étroit entre les moutons de Kembata Tembaro-Hadiya, Gurage-Silte et Sidama-Gedeo. Toutefois, le lien entre les ovins de ces trois zones et ceux de Wolayta et Gamu-Gofa a été plus faible. Il peut être conclu que les ovins des zones d’étude semblent posséder des caractéristiques adaptatives uniques, utiles à la conception de stratégies durables d'amélioration des ovins. Cependant, une évaluation génétique, à base moléculaire, de la structure de la population trouvée dans la zone d’étude reste à être prise en considération.

Keywords

phenotypic characterizationqualitative characterlinear body measurementindigenous sheepSouthern Regional State of Ethiopiacaracterización fenotípicacarácter cualitativomedida corporal linealganado ovino autóctonoRegión de los Pueblos del Sur de Etiopíacaractérisation phénotypiquecaractère qualitatifmesure corporelle linéaireovins indigènesRégion des Peuples du Sud d’Éthiopie
Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Genetic Resources/Resources génétiques animales/Recursos genéticos animales , Volume 52 , June 2013 , pp. 39 - 50
Copyright
Copyright © Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations 2013 

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