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Phenotypic characterization of the Nigerian Muscovy Ducks (Cairina moschata)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 November 2014

A.O. Oguntunji*
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Science and Fisheries Management, Bowen University, Iwo, Osun State, Nigeria
K.L. Ayorinde
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Production, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria
*
Correspondence to: A.O. Oguntunji, Department of Animal Science and Fisheries Management, Bowen University, Iwo, Osun State, Nigeria. email: abelmendel@yahoo.co.in
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Summary

Phenotypic description helps in assessing the physical attributes of species and is also an indicator of the relevance and importance attached to such attributes in their natural environments. This study was conducted to describe patterns and distribution of phenotypic diversity in Nigerian Muscovy ducks. One thousand and twenty (1 020) adult male and female Muscovy ducks reared extensively were randomly drawn from the Rain Forest, Derived Savanna and Guinea Savanna agro-ecological zones/ecotypes and were visually appraised and scored for plumage, skin, shank, feet/web, bill, bean and caruncle colours. Data on qualitative traits were analysed with descriptive statistics (percentages) while fixed effect model was used to investigate relationship between plumage and skin colours and body weight. Results revealed variations in qualitative traits; however, across ecotypes, the predominant plumage, skin, shank, feet, bill, bean and caruncle colours were mottled (45 percent), white (88 percent), yellow (50 percent), yellow (60 percent), black (58 percent), black (69 percent) and red (84 percent), respectively. Besides, significant (P < 0.05) association was observed between plumage and skin colours and body weight. The reported variations in phenotypic traits of Nigerian Muscovy ducks indicate diversity in their genome, absence of selection and the need for their selection and improvement.

Résumé

La description phenotypique donne l'evaluation rapide des attributs physiques des species; elle aussi est l'indicatrice de la pertinence et l'imprtance qu'on donnet a tells attributs dans les environs naturels. Cet ‘etude a ete fait pour decrier la modele et la distribution de la diversite phenotypique des canards Muscovy Nigerians. On a e'leve mille vingt (1 020) adultes canards muscovys (males et femelles extensivement et its ont ete pris par hazard des zones de la Foret, de la Savanne derive et de la Savanne guinea agro-ecologique et its out ete evalue a travers les ailes, la peau, la cuisse, la patte, le bec, le bejauna et la couleur caruncle. Les donnes sur les traits de la qualite ont ete analyse aves les statistiques descriptive (les pourcentages) tandis que la modele e ‘fix effect’ a ete employe pour determiner les effets de la plume et les couleurs de la peau sur le poids du corps. Les resultants nous revelent les variations dans les traits de la qualite. A travers les ecotypes, les plume predominantes, la peau, la cuisse la patte, le bec, le bejaune et les couleurs caruncle ont ete tachete (45%), le blanc (88%), le jaune (50%), le jaune (60%), le noir (58), le noir (69%) et la rouge (84%) respectivement. Neanmoins, la plume et la couler de peau a vraiment (P < 0.05) touché le poids du corps. La diversite phenotypique observe dans les canards Muscovy Nigerians montre l'absence de la selection et l'aiguillage pour l'ametioration de leur genetique.

Resumen

La descripción fenotípica sirve para definir las características físicas de las especies, siendo a la vez una indicación de la relevancia o importancia acordada a tales características en su entorno natural. Este estudio fue llevado a cabo para describir los patrones y la distribución de la diversidad fenotípica en patos mudos nigerianos. Mil veinte (1020) patos mudos adultos, machos y hembras, manejados de manera extensiva fueron tomados al azar de las zonas/ecotipos agroecológicos Selva, Sabana Derivada y Sabana de Guinea. Dichos patos fueron examinados de manera visual, anotándose para cada uno de ellos el color del plumaje, de la piel, de los tarsos, de los pies/membrana, del pico, del gancho de la punta del pico y de las carúnculas. Los datos de los rasgos cualitativos fueron analizados con estadísticos descriptivos (porcentajes) mientras que se usó un modelo de efectos fijos para investigar la relación entre el color del plumaje y el de la piel y el peso vivo. Los resultados sacaron a la luz la existencia de cierta variabilidad en los rasgos cualitativos. Sin embargo, el color predominante del plumaje, de la piel, de los tarsos, de los pies, del pico, del gancho de la punta del pico y de las carúnculas fue moteado (45 por ciento), blanco (88 por ciento), amarillo (50 por ciento), amarillo (60 por ciento), negro (58 por ciento), negro (69 por ciento) y rojo (84 por ciento), respectivamente, con independencia de los ecotipos. Asimismo, se detectó una relación significativa (P < 0,05) entre los colores del plumaje y la piel y el peso vivo. Las variaciones detectadas en los rasgos fenotípicos de los patos mudos nigerianos reflejan una diversidad en su genoma, la falta de selección y la necesidad de su selección y mejora.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations 2014 

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