Typology and characteristics of indigenous goats and production systems in different agro-ecological zones of Tanzania

A Review on Indigenous Goats of East Africa: A Case for Conservation and Management

Indigenous goats are important in the livelihoods of rural households in East African countries. This is due to their ability to produce and reproduce in different environments and climatic conditions. Even though these indigenous goats are important, there is little available information on the genetic characterization of these breeds in Africa and at the international level. This paper reviews the status of indigenous goats, highlighting their production systems, phenotypic and genetic characteristics, and genetic diversity, and proposes potential ways for sustainable improvement and conservation in East African countries. Most households use traditional production systems with various uncharacterized goat breeds and ecotypes, which are hence named after the tribe or locality in which they are found. Most of these goats are classified as small East African breeds, with significant variability in morphological features. Some of the challenges to goat production in this region are indiscriminate crossbreeding, lack of pedigree records, parasites and disease incidences, low-quality pastures, and low levels of management. There is a need for a collaborative approach amongst the actors in goat breeding value chains as well as integrating modern genomic tools into breeding programs to enhance selection. This will ensure the resilience and sustainability of these unique indigenous goat populations in East Africa.

Phaneroptic characterization and zoometric indices of Creole goats in the Ayacucho Region, Peru: First step for breeding programs, selection, and conservation

Objective

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the phenotypic characteristics and typification of Creole goats in five localities of the Ayacucho region in south-central Peru.

Materials and Methods

Data from 149 goats (25 males and 124 females) were collected, excluding animals under 2 years of age, pregnant, and sick. Seven qualitative characteristics and 11 zometric measurements were evaluated, and then 9 zometric indices were estimated.

Results

In the region, goats with composite colors predominated (76.50%). Additionally, supernumerary (24.20%) and divergent teats (22.60%) were observed in females, while males exhibited a scrotal bifurcation (32.00%). The origin of the flock had a significant effect (p < 0.05) on body measurements, as well as on pelvic index, transverse pelvic index, longitudinal pelvic index, compactness index, and load cannon bone index, except for body index (BOI), proportionality index, dactyl thorax index (DTI), and relative cannon bone thickness index (

0.05). In the Ayacucho region, there is a predominance of light animals (57.72%) with a significant DTI (

Conclusion

In the Ayacucho region, there are various creole goat biotypes range from light to very compact heavy goats, with a predominance of meat biotype animals, as well as a marked size dimorphism between localities of origin.

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Key Words

• Creole goats
• phaneroptics
• typology
• zoometric indices
• zoometric measurements

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Affiliation(s)

Walter Palomino-Guerrera Instituto Nacional de Innovación Agraria, Lima, Perú
Yeferson Laimes Estrada Instituto Nacional de Innovación Agraria, Lima, Perú Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Universidad Nacional de San Cristobal de Huamanga, Ayacucho, Perú
David Godoy Padilla Instituto Nacional de Innovación Agraria, Lima, Perú
Juancarlos Cruz Luis Instituto Nacional de Innovación Agraria, Lima, Perú
Fritz Trillo Zárate Instituto Nacional de Innovación Agraria, Lima, Perú

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