Estimation of (co)variance components and genetic parameters for weights of red-winged tinamou using random regression models

P Tholon,S.A Queiroz

doi:10.1590/s1516-35982011000400011

P Tholon, S.A Queiroz

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/s1516-35982011000400011

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Abstract

The objective of this work was to determine genetic parameters for body weight of tinamou in captivity. It was used random regression models in analyses of data by considering the direct additive genetic (DA) and permanent environmental effects of the animal (PE) as random effects. Residual variances were modeled by using a fifth-order variance function. The mean population growth curve was fitted by sixth-order Legendre orthogonal polynomials. Direct additive genetic effects and animal environmental permanent effect were modeled by using Legendre polynomials of order two to nine. The best results were obtained by models with orders of fit of 6 for direct additive genetic effect and of order 3 for permanent effect by Akaike information criterion and of order 3 for both additive genetic effect and permanent effect by Schwarz Bayesian information criterion and likelihood ratio test. Heritability estimates ranged from 0.02 to 0.57. The first eigenvalue explained 94% and 90% of the variation from additive direct and permant environmental effects, respectively. Selection of tinamou for body weight is more effective after 112 days of age.

Highlights

The red-winged tinamou, Rhynchotus rufescens (Temmink, 1815), belongs to the order Tinamiforme, family Tinamidae, and it is a native bird from South America
Studies on the viability of the commercial production of the tinamous, Nothoprocta perdicaria, for meat consumption have been conducted in Canada (Aggrrey et al, 1992) and Chile (Kermode, 1997)
Mean weights increased with age, showing a cubic tendency (R2 = 0.9954), with values ranging from 38.9 g at birth to 667.39 g at 210 days of age (Figure 1)

Summary

Introduction

The red-winged tinamou, Rhynchotus rufescens (Temmink, 1815), belongs to the order Tinamiforme, family Tinamidae, and it is a native bird from South America. Its habitats are pastures and plantations (Sick, 1985). Both national and international exotic meat consumption are growing. Studies on the viability of the commercial production of the tinamous, Nothoprocta perdicaria, for meat consumption have been conducted in Canada (Aggrrey et al, 1992) and Chile (Kermode, 1997). Studies investigating the genetic improvement of guinea fowl and quails aiming at meat production have been carried out in France (Sauver & Plouzeau, 1993). In Brazil, Queiroz & Tholon (2003) have investigated the domestication and selection of the red-winged tinamou (Rhynchotus rufescens)

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