https://doi.org/10.52973/rcfcv-e34314
Received: 27/08/2023 Accepted: 29/09/2023 Published: 01/01/2024
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Revista Científica, FCV-LUZ / Vol. XXXIV, rcfcv-e34314
ABSTRACT
The loss of genetic diversity in farm animal genetic resources is a
growing concern, with many local breeds facing possible extinction.
This study on Goat production in Cyprus was carried out to establish
the morpho–biometric profile of indigenous Cyprus Native Hair
Goats, for which there is no scientic information necessary for
their proper classication and identication, for that purpose 60
animals were measured on 17 morphobiometric traits. A two–way
analysis of variance with the interaction of the effects of age and
gender was performed. White, chamoise, light buckskin, brown–white,
white–grey, grey, pinto, and bay colors were the common coat colors
recorded with proportions of 28.6; 14.29; 14.29; 14.29; 7.14; 7.14;
7.14 and 7.14%, respectively. All the Cyprus Hair Goats had horns
with an arc shape. Wattles, beard, topknot, and feathered feet traits
were seen in proportions of 14.3, 57.14, 50 and 21.43%, respectively.
Gender factor showed a signicant (P<0.05) effect on ear length,
head length, wither height, heart girth, chest width, body length,
hip height, cannon circumference, and body weight, as well as on
morphological indices such as foreleg length, compact index, and
area index. However, female Cyprus Hair Goats recorded greater
proportionality index values than males. This revealed that females
had a brevilinear prole with dairy–type breed characteristics and
males were mesolinear with a meat–type prole. Further studies
are needed to highlight and expose the potential genetic material
of Cyprus Native Hair Goats.
Key words: Body indexes; animal biodiversity; food security
RESUMEN
La pérdida de diversidad genética en los recursos genéticos de los
animales de granja es una preocupación creciente, y muchas razas
locales se enfrentan a una posible extinción. Se llevó a cabo este
estudio en las granjas caprinas en Chipre con el objetivo de establecer
el perl morfo–biométrico de las cabras autóctonas de pelo indígenas
de Chipre, para las cuales no existe información cientíca necesaria
para su adecuada clasicación e identicación, para ello se midieron
características morfométricas en 60 animales, se realizó un análisis
de varianza a dos vías de clasicación con interacción con los factores
edad y género. El color blanco, chamois, buckskin claro, marrón–
blanco, blanco grisáceo, gris, pinto y bayo fueron los colores de pelo
predominantes de esta raza en proporciones del 28,6; 14,29; 14,29;
14,29; 7,14; 7,14; 7,14 y 7,14 % respectivamente. Todas las cabras de pelo
indígenas de Chipre tenían cuernos en forma de arco. Los rasgos de
mamellas, barba y pies emplumados se observaron en proporciones
de 14,3; 57,14; 50 y 21,43 %, respectivamente. El factor género mostró
un efecto signicativo (P<0,05) en la longitud de las orejas, la longitud
de la cabeza, la altura de la cruz, el perímetro torácico, la anchura
del pecho, la longitud corporal, la alzada a la grupa, el perímetro
de la caña y el peso vivo, así como en índices zoométricos como el
índice de la longitud de patas delanteras, el índice compacidad e
índice de área. Sin embargo, las cabras registraron valores de índice
de proporcionalidad mayores que los machos. Esto reveló que las
hembras tenían un perl brevilíneo, características de raza lechera y
los machos eran mesolineales con un perl de tipo carne. Se necesitan
más estudios para resaltar y exponer el potencial genético de las
cabras de pelo indígenas de Chipre.
Palabras clave: Índices zoométricos; biodiversidad animal;
seguridad alimentaria
Phenotypic characterization of indigenous Cyprus Native Hair Goat breed
using quantitative and qualitative trait analysis
Caracterización fenotípica de la raza caprina indígena de pelo nativa de Chipre mediante
análisis de rasgos cuantitativos y cualitativos en condición de pastoreo
Dilek Arsoy , Ibrahima Mahamane Abdourhamane* , Mehmet İsfendiyaroğlu
Near East University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Animal Science. Nicosia, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
*Corresponding Author: ibrahim.mahamane@neu.edu.tr
Characterization of Cyprus Native Hair Goat breed / Arsoy et al. ___________________________________________________________________
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INTRODUCTION
Sustainable development represents a comprehensive approach
that seeks to balance environmental preservation, economic
advancement, and social equity to ensure the well–being of present
and future generations [1]. Within the context of animal breeding, the
genetic diversity of Goat (Capra hircus) breeds assumes a pivotal role
in facilitating climate adaptation and considering geographical factors
[2]. Indigenous Goat breeds, specically those local to a particular
Region, are of utmost importance as they possess unique adaptability
to local climates, contribute to sustainable land management practices,
safeguard cultural heritage, foster research and genetic enhancement,
and bolster resilience against the impacts of climate change. The
preservation of a diverse array of Goat breeds is therefore indispensable
for ensuring the long–term sustainability and rural livelihoods of
agriculture and the overall equilibrium of ecosystems [3].
In Cyprus, Goat and Sheep (Ovis aries) farming have been of
signicant historical importance, exerting a positive impact on
the socio–economic development of the population. Particularly
noteworthy is the substantial role played by Goat milk and meat in
traditional Cypriot nutrition, such as in the production of "Halloumi"
cheese (Χαλλουµι, Halloumi, Hellim) and oven kebap (Kleftico, Thief
Kebab, Hırsız Kebap), which hold vital culinary and cultural signicance
in the Region. Notably, the production of Halloumi, a cheese with
historical mention dating back to a Venetian manuscript from 1554
as "Calumi," thrives on the island due to its compatibility with the
local climate conditions [4].
In Northern Cyprus, the main native Goat breeds reported are
Damascus, Native Hair Goat breeds, and some crossbreeds [4].
Concurrently, the production of traditional Halloumi cheese, a
signicant dairy product with substantial economic importance in
contemporary Cyprus, relies primarily on the milk obtained from Cyprus
Sheep (Fat–tailed Cyprus Sheep, Awassi, Chios) and Goat breeds. The
substantial importance of Halloumi has prompted an application
for the registration of its names 'Χαλλουµι' (Halloumi)/'Hellim' as a
Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) under the Quality Regulation
(EU) No 1151/2012. This registration application underscores various
critical factors, including the specic geographic origin, the presence of
Sheep and Goats, breed characteristics, feed, geographical Region, the
quality of vegetation impacting milk production, and the milk's overall
quality, which collectively contribute to the unique characteristics
of Halloumi cheese. As a result, the PDO stipulates the utilization of
local Sheep and Goat breeds and regionally sourced feed resources
for Halloumi cheese production, further accentuating the signicance
of preserving indigenous breeds. This registration process has had
profound implications for livestock production in the Region.
The production of Native–Hair Goats has held a signicant role for
smallholder farmers in Cyprus, as it sustains their economic well–being
by providing a reliable source of income till now [5, 6]. Besides of this,
the Cyprus Native Hair Goat breed bears historical signicance and
requires stringent protection due to its critical role in the Country's
Goat ock composition. Nonetheless, the breed faces the peril of
extinction primarily because of uncontrolled crossbreeding practices
today. The preservation of genetic diversity assumes paramount
importance for ensuring the viability of breeding programs in the future
and safeguarding the existence of the Cyprus Hair Goat breed [7].
Notably, Cyprus Native Hair Goats are found in the mountainous
Regions of the island and some nearby farms, where they roam freely
amidst high temperatures and severe scarcity of pasture and water
in the Bes Parmak / Trados mountain. In light of 'climatic changes'
adverse effects on production parameters, many Cypriot farmers
are integrating these Native Hair Goats into their herds to counter
these challenges effectively. Due to their disease resistance, high
milk fat content, and ease of breeding, Cyprus Native Hair Goats are
specically sought for breeding purposes or to solely obtain Hair Goat
progeny. The morphological characterization of indigenous breeds,
including the Cyprus native Hair Goat, holds utmost signicance in the
establishment of conservation programs for zoo–genetic resources
[8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13]. Accurate identification and comprehensive
understanding of the breed requires the quantification and
expression of morpho–structural characteristics through precise body
measurements. Morphometrics provides a robust toolkit for analyzing
morphological variation, thus contributing invaluable insights to
comparative studies and developmental research in this context.
This study aims to scientifically identify the physical and
morphological traits of the Cyprus Native Hair Goat breed for
the rst time, thus supporting its genetic conservation and PDO
application process.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Study area
The study was conducted on the region of Kyrenia, Northern Cyprus;
where there are goat production farms. The farm where the study was
performed, was located in the Beş Parmak mountain range. Goats
were in a free extensive rearing system in this area with harsh weather
conditions (FIGS.1A, 1B, 1C and 1D). The stockowner has a small open
barn for milking the goats. Only at milking time we were able to have
access to the animals and take their body measurements. Finding
and keeping animals was quite dicult. Therefore, the number of
animals used in this study was small. There are Hair Goats on some
farms, but most of them are crossbred. For this reason, hair Goats
that have owners but roam free in the mountains and mate only among
themselves were selected. The research was approved by the Near
East University Animal Ethics Committee, (2019/04, 17.04.2019/73).
Northern Cyprus has the typical Mediterranean climate with prolonged,
warm, and dry summers starting from mid–May to mid–October. The
Winter, from December to February, is mild and wet. And completing
the seasons of the year with short Autumn and Spring periods. The
temperature reaches 34°C and even 40°C in the hottest months (July
and August) and ranges from 7 to 15°C in the coldest months.
Data collection
The animals had ear tags for identication. There were 7 qualitative
traits: presence of horn, horn shape, presence of wattle, beard, and
topknot (FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1D), coat color, and presence of feathered
feet, and 10 quantitative morphological traits: body weight, ear length,
head length, withers height, heart girth, chest depth, chest width,
body length, hip height, and cannon circumference (TABLE I), which
were recorded according to procedures described by FAO and ICAR
[12, 13]. In this research, there were a total of 60 Cyprus Native Hair
Goats, all the measurements on the animals were performed by the
same group of people in order to minimize errors during the data
collection phase of the research.
FIGURE 1. A: White Cyprus Native Hair B: Light Buckskin Cyprus Native Hair. C: Goats in extensive system. D: Topknot and beard in Cyprus Native Hair
A B
C D
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Morphological indices and body weight were calculated according
to the procedures described by Chacon et al. and Salako [14, 15]
as follows:
TABLE I
Morphological body measurement
Traits Description
Body length (BL)
Measured as the diagonal distance from the tip of the
sternum to the base of the tail
Chest girth (CG)
Measured as the circumference of the body immediately
behind the shoulder blades in a vertical plane perpendicular
to the long axis of the body
Chest depth (CD)
It was the distance from the backbone at the shoulder to the
brisket between the front legs (cm)
Rump height (RH) Height from the ground to the spina iliac (cm)
Rump length (RL)
Distance from the anterior point to the posterior extremity
of the pin bone (cm)
Wither height (WH)
Measured from the bottom of the front foot to the highest
point of the shoulder between the withers
Pelvic width (PW)
Measured as the distance between pelvic bones across the
dorsum
Horn length (HL)
Measured as the length of the horn on its exterior side from
its root at the poll of the tip
•
Body Weight
10838
body length heartgirth heartgirth
##
=
•
Body index
Body lenght
100
Hearth girth
#
=
•
Length index
Wither height
Body length
=
•
Depthindex
wither height
Chestdepth
=
•
ForeleglengthWitherheightChest depth
=-
•
Compactindex
Wither height
Body weight
100
#
=
•
Relative Cannon Thickness Index
Wither height
Cannon circumference
100
#
=
•
Area indexWitherheightBodylength
#
=
•
Proportionality index
Body length
Wither height
100
#
=
Statistical analyses
Data obtained from body measurements of females of distinct ages
were subjected to descriptive statistics using IBM SPSS Statistics
20 for Windows [16]. A two–way ANOVA test was used to evaluate the
Characterization of Cyprus Native Hair Goat breed / Arsoy et al. ___________________________________________________________________
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interaction of age and gender factors on morphological body traits
and indices. The signicance level was set to α=0.05, so that (P≤0.05).
The model used in the present study was:
Y
ijk
= μ + A
i
+ B
j
+ AB
ij
+ ε
ij
μ = the common mean
A
i
= the gender effect ( males,…, females)
B
j
= the age effect ( j = 6 months old, 2 years old,…, 7 years old)
AB
ij
= the interaction effect between the i
th
gender and j
th
age group
ε
ijk
= effects of the uncontrolled effects on the experimental units
or random errors.
All effects in the model were considered fixed except the
experimental error, which is assumed to be NID
0,
e
2
v
^h
.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
In order to maintain and improve sustainability, it is crucial to have
an effective knowledge of transfer strategy and cultural awareness
achievement and appreciation of biodiversity [17]. Physical traits,
structural indices, and morphometric measurements are useful to
determine the type and function of the animal and to estimate animal
performance due to their relation to productivity parameters [18,
19]. In the current study, the morphometric and physical traits of the
indigenous Cyprus Native Hair Goat breed in a Goat production farm
located in Kyrenia, Northern Cyprus were evaluated.
Qualitative traits in Cyprus Native Hair Goats
The qualitative trait results are presented as percentages for the
number of Goats evaluated (TABLE II). The 100 percent of the Cyprus
Native Hair Goats had horns with an arc horn shape. The majority
(85.7%) of the Goats did not present wattles. The beard trait (FIG. 1D)
was seen frequently on 57.14% of occasions. White coat color (FIG.1A
was seen frequently on 28.6% of the number of Goats evaluated in the
research, which was followed by chamoise, light buckskin (FIG.1B),
and brown–white coat with the same frequency of 14.29%. Around
80% (TABLE II) of the Goats in this study did not present feathered
feet trait patterns. In the study, it was found that the indigenous
Cyprus Native Hair Goats had a wide range of coat colors, dominated
by white and followed by chamoisee and light buckskin coat colors.
The presence of a wide range of coat colors might be due to a lack of
systematic selective crossbreeding programs in the ock.
Horns help to regulate body temperature and are a desirable
physical trait for livestock owners, who consider polled Goats unable
to reproduce. All the evaluated Cyprus Native Hair Goats had horns
with an arc shape. The non–appearance of polled Goats in the ock
may be due to a lack of interest from livestock owners.
According to Gatew et al. [20], the wattle and beard issues can be
used as selection criteria to improve animal performance. Wattle
and beard play a role in thermoregulation and are related to higher
prolicity, higher fertility, a higher conception rate, and a higher
milk yield [21]. In the Cyprus Native Hair Goats, the beard trait was
seen frequently on 57.14% of occasions, however, the wattle trait
was only seen in 14.3% of the ock. Similarly, in different indigenous
Goat populations, researchers have obtained lower values for the
wattle trait [21, 22].
Cyprus Native Hair Goats body measurements
The results of the descriptive statistics of body measurement of
female Cyprus Mountain Goats are shown in TABLE III.
The average ear length, head length, wither height, heart girth, chest
width, body length, hip height, and body weight of a 6–month–old Cyprus
Native Hair Goat were 7.5; 18.16; 56; 75; 14.66; 59.33; 58.66 cm, and
30.81 kg, respectively. The ear length, head length, and wither height at
6 months of age reported by Singh et al. [23] in female Gohilwadi kids
were higher than those found in the present study. However, the heart
girth value in Cyprus Native Hair Goats was much higher. In addition,
during the same period when Gohilwadi female kid Goats reached
barely 20 kg of body weight, Cyprus Native Hair kid Goats reached a
mean of 30.80 kg. For Gohilwadi female kid Goats to reach this body
weight, they need another 6 months. These results demonstrate how
good the growth performance of Cyprus Native Hair Goats can be.
At 2 years old, the average ear length, head length, wither height,
heart girth, chest width, body length, hip height, and body weight
were 11.2, 22, 71.4, 91, 19, 69, 75.9, cm, and 52.90 kg, respectively.
At 3 years old, Cyprus Native Hair Goats averaged 12.37, 22.5, 76.87,
89.75, 19, 72.75, 80.5 cm, and 54.3 kg of ear length, head length, height
at withers, heart girth, chest width, body length, hip height, and body
weight, respectively. Body weight ranged from 41.4 to 65.11 kg.
Then the average ear length, head length, wither height, heart
girth, chest width, body length, hip height, and body weight of a 4
years old Cyprus Native Hair Goat were 10.11, 22.88, 77.88, 93.88,
19.88, 75.11, 81.55 cm, and 62.7 kg, respectively. According to the
results reported by Tatar et al. [24] for the Turkish Damascus Goat
breed in Diyarbakir Province, the results found in this study for wither
height, body length, chest depth, chest width, and heart girth in
Cyprus Native Hair Goats seem to be higher, particularly in males of
4 years of age. So logically, the body weight of this breed was much
TABLE II
Frequency of qualitative traits status in Cyprus Native Hair Goat
Qualitative traits Trait status % of the ock
Horns
Present 100.00
Horn shape Arc 100.00
Wattles
Present 14.30
Absent 85.70
Beard
Present 57.14
Absent 42.86
Topknot
Present 50.00
Absent 50.00
Coat color
White 28.60
Chamoise 14.29
Light Buckskin 14.29
Brown–white 14.29
White–grey 7.14
Grey 7.14
Pinto 7.14
Bay 7.14
Feathered feet
Present 21.43
Absent 78.57
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higher compared to Damascus Goats. These results must receive
widespread attention from livestock owners in order to offset the
current low productivity of small ruminants.
At 5 years old, the average ear length, head length, height at withers,
heart girth, chest width, body length, hip height, and body weight
were 12.46, 23.46, 77.9, 94.61, 19.3, 75.46, 79.38 cm, and 63.39 kg,
respectively. The body weight ranged from 48.59 kg to 100.8 kg.
For a 6–years old Cyprus Native Hair Goat, the average ear length,
head length, height at withers, heart girth, chest width, body length,
hip height, and body weight were 12.50, 24.83, 78.33, 91.16, 15.33, 83,
87.33 cm, and 63.7 kg, respectively. The body weight ranged from
57.88 to 74.83 kg.
And the average ear length, head length, height at withers, heart
girth, chest width, body length, hip height, and body weight of the
Cyprus Native Hair Goat at 7 years of age were 13.75, 24.12, 81.5, 98.75,
20.75, 74.25, 80.75 cm, and 66.98 kg, respectively.
Effect of gender, age and their interaction on body weight and
body measurements
TABLE IV shows the interaction between sex and age on the body
traits of Cyprus Native Hair Goats. In the present study, it was found no
signicant interaction (P>0.05) of gender and age factors on all of the
body measurements. This means that the main effect of gender and
age on body traits of Cyprus Native Hair can be fully accepted. The ear
length, head length, wither height, heart girth, chest with, body length
hip height, and body weight of both genders were signicantly higher
in older age groups than in younger age groups. Additionally, males
exhibited signicantly higher values for these body traits compared to
females (P<0.05). For chest depth, although statistically no signicant
difference was found between both genders, there was a tendency
for a higher value in females. However, for the cannon circumference,
although no statistically signicant difference was found, males
showed a tendency for a higher value. Kurnianta et al. [25] have
reported that the effect of gender on live weight and morphological
traits in Goats is principally due to hormonal mechanisms leading
to different growth rates. Results from the current research are in
TABLE III
Descriptive Statistics of Cyprus Native Hair Goats Body Measurements in Females
Age EL HL WH HG CW BL HH BW
6 months old
Mean 7.50 18.16 56.00 75.00 14.66 59.33 58.66 30.81
Std.Dev. 1.04 1.32 1.26 2.00 1.03 0.52 1.63 1.65
Min 6 16 54 72 13 59 57 28.22
Max 79 20 58 78 16 60 61 33.12
2 years old
Mean 11.20 22.00 71.40 91.00 19.00 69.00 75.90 52.90
Std.Dev. 2.9 1.82 3.06 3.80 4.10 3.91 3.81 6.28
Min 7 20 67 83 12 63 70 40.04
Max 15 25 78 95 24 75 79 60.79
3 years old
Mean 12.37 22.50 76.87 89.75 19.00 72.75 80.50 54.30
Std.Dev. 1.92 1.77 3.72 6.11 4.00 3.15 3.66 7.77
Min 10 20 69 79 13 70 73 41.4
Max 15 25 81 97 25 78 85 65.11
4 years old
Mean 10.11 22.88 77.88 93.88 19.88 75.11 81.55 62.70
Std.Dev. 4.28 2.61 6.29 8.07 5.66 11.38 6.85 20.83
Min 5 20 70 84 13 63 72 41.02
Max 16 28 88 110 30 97 90 100.48
5 years old
Mean 12.46 23.46 77.90 94.61 19.30 75.46 79.38 63.39
Std.Dev. 3.38 2.14 5.60 6.53 4.92 9.41 5.89 16.86
Min 8 20 71 88 13 68.00 71 48.59
Max 19 28 88 110 30 97 90 100.8
6 years old
Mean 12.50 24.83 78.33 91.16 15.33 83.00 87.33 63.70
Std.Dev. 2.58 2.48 3.93 3.60 1.75 6.29 4.13 7.03
Min 9 21 71 88 12 71 79 57.88
Max 16 28 83 96 17 88 90 74.83
7 years old
Mean 13.75 24.12 81.50 98.75 20.75 74.25 80.75 66.98
Std.Dev. 3.28 1.12 2.56 3.37 3.80 4.33 2.60 7.30
Min 7 23 77 95 16 69 78 58.29
Max 18 26 84 105 27 80 85 77.31
EL: Ear Length; HL: Head Length; WH: Wither Height; HG: Heart Girth; CW: Chest Width; BL: Body Length; HH: Hip Height;
BW: Body Weight
Characterization of Cyprus Native Hair Goat breed / Arsoy et al. ___________________________________________________________________
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TABLE IV
Eect of gender and age and their interaction on the body traits of Cyprus Native Hair Goats
Traits
EL (N=60) HL (N=60) WH (N=60) HG (N=60) CD (N=60) CW (N=60) BL (N=60) HH (N=60) CC (N=60) BW (N=60)
Mean ± SEM Mean ± SEM Mean ± SEM Mean ± SEM Mean ± SEM Mean ± SEM Mean ± SEM Mean ± SEM Mean ± SEM Mean ± SEM
Gender
Female 10.69 ± 0.47 22.05 ± 0.29 73.37 ± 0.67 88.98 ± 0.80 38.39 ± 0.85 17.17 ± 0.58 71.24 ± 0.96 76.80 ± 0.71 11.46 ± 0.16 53.00 ± 1.72
Male 13.19 ± 0.75 23.76 ± 0.44 76.476 ± 1.04 94.52 ± 1.23 37.44 ± 1.35 21.05 ± 0.90 76.67 ± 1.49 80.14 ± 1.1 11.97 ± 0.26 65.35 ± 2.67
Age
6 months old 7.75 ± 1.28 18.37 ± 0.78 56.25 ± 1.82 75.50 ± 2.16 – 14.75 ± 1.58 59.37 ± 2.62 58.88 ± 1.92 – 31.25 ± 4.67
2 years old 12.00 ± 1.02 22.57 ± 0.62 71.38 ± 1.45 91.86 ± 1.72 35.91 ± 1.77 20.05 ± 1.26 69.67 ± 2.08 76.21 ± 1.53 10.38 ± 0.34 54.44 ± 3.72
3 years old 12.50 ± 1.08 22.87 ± 0.65 77.50 ± 1.54 90.73 ± 1.82 32.70 ± 1.87 19.80 ± 1.33 73.07 ± 2.21 80.93 ± 1.62 11.73 ± 0.36 55.74 ± 3.94
4 years old 10.25 ± 1.18 22.93 ± 0.72 78.46 ± 1.69 95.00 ± 2.00 38.86 ± 2.05 20.46 ± 1.46 75.61 ± 2.42 81.89 ± 1.78 12.32 ± 0.40 65.64 ± 4.32
5 years old 13.12 ± 0.97 24.35 ± 0.59 79.70 ± 1.39 96.85 ± 1.64 39.10 ± 1.68 21.53 ± 1.20 80.55 ± 1.99 81.82 ± 1.46 11.82 ± 0.33 71.24 ± 3.55
6 years old 13.12 ± 1.28 25.00 ± 0.78 79.00 ± 1.82 92.00 ± 2.16 40.38 ± 2.22 15.50 ± 1.58 84.25 ± 2.62 87.75 ± 1.92 12.13 ± 0.43 65.92 ± 4.67
7 years old 14.83 ± 1.20 24.25 ± 0.78 82.16 ± 1.72 100.33 ± 2.16 40.58 ± 2.09 21.67 ± 1.49 75.17 ± 2.47 81.83 ± 1.81 11.92 ± 0.40 70.02 ± 4.40
Gender × Age
F*6 months old 7.00 ± 1.47 17.75 ± 0.90 55.50 ± 2.11 74.00 ± 2.49 – 14.50 ± 1.83 59.25 ± 3.02 58.25 ± 2.22 – 29.95 ± 5.39
M*6 months old 8.50 ± 2.08 19.00 ± 1.27 57.00 ± 2.98 77.00 ± 3.53 – 15.00 ± 2.58 59.50 ± 4.27 59.50 ± 3.14 – 32.55 ± 7.62
F*2 years old 10.00 ± 1.12 21.14 ± 0.68 71.43 ± 1.59 89.71 ± 1.89 36.14 ± 1.93 17.43 ± 1.38 68.00 ± 2.28 75.43 ± 1.68 10.43 ± 0.37 50.64 ± 4.07
M*2 years old 14.00 ± 1.70 24.00 ± 1.04 71.33 ± 2.43 94.00 ± 2.88 35.67 ± 2.95 22.67 ± 2.11 71.33 ± 3.49 77.00 ± 2.56 10.33 ± 0.57 58.23 ± 6.22
F*3 years old 12.00 ± 1.32 21.40 ± 0.80 75.00 ± 1.88 86.80 ± 2.23 37.40 ± 2.29 16.60 ± 1.63 71.80 ± 2.70 79.20 ± 1.99 10.80 ± 0.44 49.97 ± 4.82
M*3 years old 13.00 ± 1.70 24.33 ± 1.04 80.00 ± 2.43 94.67 ± 2.88 28.00 ± 2.95 23.00 ± 2.11 74.33 ± 3.49 82.67 ± 2.56 12.67 ± 0.57 61.52 ± 6.22
F*4 years old 10.00 ± 1.12 22.86 ± 0.68 77.43 ± 1.59 93.00 ± 1.89 38.71 ± 1.93 19.43 ± 1.38 74.71 ± 2.28 81.29 ± 1.68 12.14 ± 0.37 60.52 ± 4.07
M*4 years old 10.50 ± 2.08 23.00 ± 1.27 86.50 ± 2.98 101.50 ± 3.53 39.00 ± 3.62 21.50 ± 2.58 93.50 ± 3.50 82.50 ± 3.14 12.50 ± 0.70 87.75 ± 7.62
F*5 years old 11.90 ± 0.93 22.70 ± 0.57 76.40 ± 1.33 92.70 ± 1.58 38.20 ± 1.62 17.40 ± 1.16 71.10 ± 1.91 77.30 ± 1.41 11.30 ± 0.31 56.67 ± 3.41
M*5 years old 14.33 ± 1.70 26.00 ± 1.04 83.00 ± 2.43 101.00 ± 2.88 40.00 ± 2.95 25.67 ± 2.11 90.00 ± 3.49 86.33 ± 2.56 12.33 ± 0.57 85.82 ± 6.22
F*6 years old 11.25 ± 1.47 24.50 ± 0.90 77.00 ± 2.11 89.50 ± 2.50 39.75 ± 2.56 15.00 ± 1.83 80.50 ± 3.02 86.50 ± 2.22 12.75 ± 0.49 59.31 ± 5.39
M*6 years old 15.00 ± 2.08 25.50 ± 1.27 81.00 ± 2.98 94.50 ± 3.53 41.00 ± 3.62 16.00 ± 2.58 88.00 ± 4.27 89.00 ± 3.14 11.50 ± 0.70 72.53 ± 7.62
F*7 years old 12.67 ± 1.20 24.00 ± 0.73 80.83 ± 1.72 97.17 ± 2.04 40.17 ± 2.09 19.83 ± 1.49 73.33 ± 2.47 79.67 ± 1.81 11.33 ± 0.40 63.95 ± 4.40
M*7 years old 17.00 ± 2.09 24.50 ± 1.27 83.50 ± 2.98 103.50 ± 3.53 41.00 ± 3.62 23.50 ± 2.58 77.00 ± 4.27 84.00 ± 3.14 12.50 ± 0.70 76.09 ± 7.62
P–values
Age 0.006* 0.001* 0.001* 0.001* 0.044* 0.006* 0.001* 0.001* 0.007* 0.001*
Gender 0.006* 0.002* 0.016* 0.001* 0.554 0.001* 0.004* 0.014* 0.104 0.001*
Age × Gender 0.840 0.489 0.738 0.936 0.298 0.374 0.055 0.571 0.104 0.333
*:The signicance level was determined at
P≤0.05, EL: Ear Length, HL: Head Length, WH: Wither Height, HG: Heart Girth, CD: Chest Depth, CW: Chest Width, BL: Body Length, HH: Hip
Height, CC: Cannon Circumference, BW: Body Weight
agreement with those of Tsegaye et al. [22], Kurnianto et al. [25],
and Gatew et al. [20] except for ear length and chest depth traits,
suggesting that sex had a very signicant effect on ear length, head
length, withers height, heart girth, chest width, body length, hip
height, cannon circumference, and body weight. Although statistically
no signicant difference was found for chest depth, there was a
tendency for a higher value in males.
Some morphological body measurements obtained from hair goat
studies conducted in Türkiye are compared in TABLE V [26, 27, 28].
In all the studied Regions included in TABLE V, the Cyprus domestic
Goats are larger than these Goats in both sexes. The closest average
values belong to The Hair Goats of the Burdur–Antalya Region in the
Mediterranean Region.
Effect of gender, age and their interaction on morphological body
traits indices
Although morphological measurements are used to indicate the
type and function of the animal, for accurate animal conformation
estimation and animal type, weight, and function assessment,
morphological indices have been reported to perform better [29].
Morphological indices in Cyprus Native Hair Goats are given in TABLE
VI. There was no signicant interaction (P>0.05) of gender and age
factors on all morphological body trait indices, except in body index
trait (P=0.42). The effect of gender on body index differs between
ages. There were signicant effects of age on length index, depth
index, foreleg length, compact index, relative cannon thickness index
(RCTI), area index, and proportionality index. The effect of gender was
signicant in foreleg length, compact index and area index with higher
_____________________________________________________________________________Revista Cientifica, FCV-LUZ / Vol. XXXIV, rcfcv-e34314
7 of 10
TABLE V
Comparison of some body measurements of Hair Goats in dierent studies in Türkiye
Body measurements
Sex Cyprus Native Hair Goat
Hair Goat, Antalya
Province,Türkiye (Gezer 2018)
Turkish Hair Goat, Antalya,
Burdur Province, Türkiye
(Elmaz et al. 2016)
Hair Goat, Kütahya
Province,Türkiye (Altay 2022)
Live weight
(kg)
female 60.52 ± 4.07 39.52 ± 4.10 51.20 ± 0.33 36.15 ± 0.95
male 87.75 ± 7.62 54.86 ± 6.08 82.80 ± 2.16 48.40 ± 1.76
Withers height
(cm)
female 77.43± 1.59 75.40 ± 3.48 74.80 ± 0.18 68.70 ± 0.94
male 86.50 ± 2.98 83.51 ± 4.04 86.60 ± 0.74 70.63 ± 1.20
Chest / hearth girth
(cm)
female 93.00 ± 1.89 83.41 ± 3.62 86.80 ± 0.20 81.50 ± 0.98
male 101.50 ± 3.53 93.55 ± 6.54 100.70 ± 0.91 86.64 ± 1.05
Body length
(cm)
female 74.71 ± 2.08 74.47 ± 4.09 80.60 ± 0.20 68.30 ± 0.83
male 93.50 ± 3.50 81.92 ± 4.88 93.70 ± 0.86 74.63 ± 1.12
TABLE VI
Eect of gender and age and their interaction on morphological body traits indices
Indices
Body Index
(N=60)
Length Index
(N=60)
Depth Index
(N=60)
Foreleg length
(N=60)
Compact Index
(N=60)
RCTI
(N=60)
Area Index
(N=60)
Proportionality
Index (N=60)
Mean ± SEM Mean ± SEM Mean ± SEM Mean ± SEM Mean ± SEM Mean ± SEM Mean ± SEM Mean ± SEM
Gender
Female 80.22 ± 0.86 0.98 ± 0.01 0.43 ± 0.01 40.46 ± 0.89 7.15 ± 0.19 12.80 ± 0.02 5273.90 ± 111.50 103.22 ± 1.22
Male 81.01 ± 1.33 1.00±0.017 0.40 ± 0.02 44.38 ± 1.37 8.35 ± 0.29 12.90 ± 0.05 5954.69 ± 172.57 98.24 ± 1.30
Age
6 months old 78.69 ± 2.33 1.06 ± 0.03 – 56.25 ± 2.41 5.55 ± 0.51 – 3339.75 ± 302.01 94.75 ± 3.29
2 years old 75.86 ± 1.85 0.98 ± 0.02 0.50 ± 0.02 35.48 ± 1.92 7.64 ± 0.40 14.60 ± 0.03 4974.02 ± 240.64 102.71 ± 2.62
3 years old 80.83 ± 1.96 0.94 ± 0.03 0.43 ± 0.02 44.80 ± 2.03 7.17 ± 0.43 15.10 ± 0.04 5665.33 ± 254.67 106.21 ± 2.78
4 years old 79.25 ± 2.15 0.96 ± 0.03 0.50 ± 0.02 39.61 ± 2.23 8.19 ± 0.47 15.60 ± 0.04 6004.75 ± 279.60 104.99 ± 3.05
5 years old 83.06 ± 1.77 1.01 ± 0.02 0.49 ± 0.02 40.60 ± 1.83 8.84 ± 0.38 14.90 ± 0.03 6464.22 ± 229.56 100.00 ± 2.50
6 years old 91.67 ± 2.33 1.07 ± 0.03 0.51 ± 0.03 38.63 ± 2.41 8.33 ± 0.51 15.40 ± 0.04 6672.75 ± 302.01 93.94 ± 3.29
7 years old 74.94 ± 2.19 0.92 ± 0.03 0.49 ± 0.02 41.58 ± 2.27 8.52 ± 0.48 14.50 ± 0.04 6179.25 ± 284.73 109.52 ± 3.10
Gender × Age
F*6 months old 80.09 ± 2.69 1.07 ± 0.04 – 55.50 ± 2.78 5.40 ± 0.58 – 3288.50 ± 348.73 93.67 ± 3.80
M*6 months old 77.29 ± 3.80 1.04 ± 0.05 – 57.00 ± 3.93 5.71 ± 0.82 – 3391.00 ± 493.17 95.82 ± 5.38
F*2 years old 75.86 ± 2.03 0.95 ± 0.03 0.51 ± 0.02 35.29 ± 2.10 7.11 ± 0.44 14.60 ± 0.04 4855.71 ± 263.61 105.39 ± 2.87
M*2 years old 75.87 ± 3.10 1.00 ± 0.04 0.50 ± 0.03 35.67 ± 3.21 8.16 ± 0.67 14.50 ± 0.06 5092.33 ± 402.67 100.03 ± 4.39
F*3 years old 83.14 ± 2.40 0.96 ± 0.03 0.50 ± 0.03 37.60 ± 2.49 6.65 ± 0.52 14.40 ± 0.05 5385.00 ± 311.91 104.56 ± 3.40
M*3 years old 78.52 ± 3.10 0.93 ± 0.04 0.35 ± 0.03 52.00 ± 3.21 7.69 ± 0.67 15.80 ± 0.06 5945.67 ± 402.67 107.86 ± 4.39
F*4 years old 80.08 ± 2.03 0.96 ± 0.03 0.50 ± 0.02 38.71 ± 2.10 7.78 ± 0.44 15.70 ± 0.04 5813.00 ± 263.61 104.75 ± 2.87
M*4 years old 78.41 ± 3.80 0.96 ± 0.05 0.49 ± 0.04 40.50 ± 3.93 8.60 ± 0.82 17.00±0.07 6196.50 ± 493.17 105.24 ± 5.38
F*5 years old 76.71 ± 1.70 0.93 ± 0.02 0.50 ± 0.02 38.20 ± 1.76 7.45 ± 0.37 14.80 ± 0.03 5428.10 ± 220.55 107.80 ± 2.40
M*5 years old 89.41 ± 3.10 1.09 ± 0.04 0.48 ± 0.03 43.00 ± 3.21 10.24 ± 0.67 14.90 ± 0.06 7500.33 ± 402.67 92.21 ± 4.39
F*6 years old 90.19 ± 2.69 1.04 ± 0.04 0.52 ± 0.03 37.25 ± 2.78 7.71 ± 0.58 16.60 ± 0.05 6217.50 ± 348.73 95.83 ± 3.80
M*6 years old 93.15 ± 3.80 1.09 ± 0.05 0.51 ± 0.04 40.00 ± 3.93 8.95 ± 0.82 14.20 ± 0.07 7128.00 ± 493.17 92.05 ± 5.38
F*7 years old 75.46 ± 2.19 0.91 ± 0.03 0.50 ± 0.02 40.67 ± 2.27 7.92 ± 0.48 14.10 ± 0.04 5929.50 ± 284.73 110.57 ± 3.10
M*7 years old 74.43 ± 3.80 0.92 ± 0.05 0.49 ± 0.04 42.50 ± 3.93 9.11 ± 0.82 15.00 ± 0.07 6429.00 ± 493.17 108.47 ± 5.38
P–values
Age 0.001* 0.003* 0.001* 0.001* 0.001* 0.001* 0.001* 0.007*
Gender 0.619 0.184 0.111 0.021* 0.001* 0.947 0.002* 0.189
Age × Gender 0.042* 0.149 0.234 0.241 0.524 0.070 0.101 0.219
*: The signicance level was determined at
P≤0.05
Characterization of Cyprus Native Hair Goat breed / Arsoy et al. ___________________________________________________________________
8 of 10
values in males than in females. Although there was no signicant
effect of gender on depth index and proportionality index, female
Cyprus Native Hair Goats tended to have higher values for these
traits. These ndings were in agreement with those of Hilal et al.
[30], suggesting that sex must be an important factor of variation in
body weight and morphological indices in indigenous Goat breeds.
According to Silva–Jarquin et al. [31], body index is used to classify
Goats into brevilinear (body index≤85), mesolinear (body index >86
and <88), or longilinear (body index ≥90). From the study results, this
indicates that female Cyprus Native Hair Goats at 4 years old have a
brevilinear prole (body index 76), whereas males are mesolinear (body
index 88). This indicates that male and female Cyprus Native Goats
have a good deep chest capacity which is desired for long–distance
grazing and undulating area [14]. However, these values were lower
than those reported by Hankamo et al. [32] for their local Goat breed.
The proportionality index relates the body height to body length to
indicate the animal’s shape. Proportionality index <100 shows that the
animal body tends to have a rectangular shape, which is a meat–type
breed characteristic. However, an index >100 indicates that the shape of
the animal tends to have a dairy breed characteristic, a square shape [8,
33]. In this study, female Cyprus Native Hair Goats had a proportionality
index higher than 100, which characterized them as a dairy Goat–type
breed. Male Cyprus Native Hair Goats had a proportionality index of
98.24, indicating their meat–type characteristic.
The relative cannon thickness index (RCTI) is a good indicator in
the determination of breed type. It shows the correlation between
the perimeter of the cannon bone and the animal's height. This index
is higher in meat–type Goat breeds than in dairy types.
As expected, the results from the current study showed Cyprus Native
Hair bucks to be more suitable for Goat meat production. Getaneh et al.
[8] also reported a higher relative cannon thickness index in Ethiopian
indigenous bucks. The highest value found in Cyprus Native hair bucks
of 4 years old indicates their superiority over Ethiopian bucks.
The length index values of the current study were slightly lower
than those found in Assam Hill goats [34]. However, it seemed that
the depth index values of Cyprus Native Hair Goats in both sexes of
4 years old are equal to the Assam Hill Goats breed. The depth index
revealed Cyprus Native Hair Goats to have a deep chest.
The compact index shows how compact the animal is. The meat–
type Goats have values above 3.15. A value close to 2.75 indicates the
animal has a dual purpose, and a value close to 2.60 indicates the
animal is more suitable for milk production [14]. The compact index
values of Cyprus Native Hair Goats of 4 years old from this study were
higher than those reported by Chacón [14] in Cuban Creole Goats
(5.20 ± 0.32). This result indicates the suitability of Cyprus Native
Hair Goats for meat production.
The area index value of this study in Cyprus Native Hair Goats
was greater than that found in Assam Hill Goats (3355.13 ± 48.84) by
Khargharia et al. [34].
CONCLUSIONS
The current study presented the rst morpho–biometric results
of indigenous Cyprus Native Hair Goats necessary for their proper
classication and identication.
Analysis of the morphological body measurements, and indices
indicated that the females had a brevilinear prole with dairy type
breed characteristics and the males were mesolinear with a meat–
type prole.
Based on known information, productive and reproductive
performance studies have not been yet studied.
It is expected that the current study will be considered as a starting
point for further studies to highlight and expose the potential genetic
material of Cyprus Native Hair Goats.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The authors would like to express their great acknowledgment,
to the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine students who participated in
the study and the goat keepers for their help during data collection.
Funding
The authors declare that no funds or other support were received
in this study.
Conict of interest statement
The authors declare no conict of interest.
Data availability statement
The data supporting the ndings of the current study are available
from the authors upon reasonable request.
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