Principal Component Analysis of Morphological Characteristics in Creole Sheep (Ovis aries)

Ormachea V.E.; Calsin C.B.; Aguilar S.E.; Ormachea V.B.; Gonzales C.H.; Masias G.Y.M. · Advances in Animal and Veterinary Sciences (2023) · DOI: 10.17582/journal.aavs/2023/11.6.903.909

Resumen

Characterization of creole sheep is essential for the conservation of their genes for breeding purposes as well as to meet future needs. The objective of the study was to determine the analysis of principal components for morphological characteristics in Creole sheep. A population of 380 sheep classified by age was used and body weight data and the following morphological measurements were recorded: Head length; Head width; Head depth; Ear length; Ear width; Neck length; Neck perimeter; Height at the withers; Longitudinal body diameter; Thoracic perimeter; Bicostal diameter; Sternal dorsal diameter; Rump width; Rump length; Height at the rump; Leg perimeter; Height at hock; Metacarpus perimeter and Metatarsus perimeter. Data were processed using R statistical software. The correlation of the main morphological characteristics were significant and high. Age significantly influences morphological characteristics, showing high correlations between characters. Two principal components were obtained for sheep morphological characteristics that were evaluated according to Kaiser’s criteria, PCA 1 and PCA 2 had high values for variables related to body size and body shape. The conclusion is that morphological characteristics can be useful for the selection of elite animals and the formulation of genetic improvement programs.

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional del Altiplano