Morphological measurements and body indices for Cuban Creole goats and their crossbreds

[摘要] In this work, linear body measures were taken and production indices calculated for 100 Cuban Creole goats and 100 crossbred goats in order to aid in the characterization of animal genetic resources in Cuba. Low variation was found for all indices of the Creole goats, showing homogeneity between the groups of animals studied. Most of the functional indices are related to the milk biotype which is in agreement the possible origin of the breed from animals of the Iberian Peninsula and Canary Islands. The crossbreds were more varied, mostly due to undesigned disorganized crossing. These data may help in identifying a commercial niche for the breed and contribute to in situ conservation of the Cuban Creole goat.

[学科分类] 兽医学

[关键词] animal genetic resources;Capra hircus;conservation    Introduction In recent years;goats from Cuban Creole breed which was widely distributed over the territory of Cuba;had its numbers drastically reduced due to the introduction of exotic breeds;considered by some people as more productive