Phenotypic correlation of bodyweight and linear body measurement in Chinchilla rabbits (Orycotolagus cuniculus)

Abstract

Data on bodyweight and linear body measurements (LBMs) namely ear length (EL), heart girth (HG), body length (BL), head to shoulder (HS), leg length (LL) and tail length (TL) of 178 Chinchilla breed of rabbits at 3, 6 and 8 weeks of age were analyzed to obtain the phenotypic correlation between the various LBMs on one hand and LBMs on bodyweight on the other. The value of the Pearson’s linear correlation coefficient defined by the Greek alphabet rho (Г) determines the level of relationship between the LBMs. It ranged from 0.36 - 0.91, 0.47 - 0.82 and 0.34 - 0.71 in weeks 3, 6 and 8 weeks respectively. This shows that as the animal grows, there is a positive relationship between its bodyweight and LBMs. This implies that a particular LBM or a combination of it can be used to determine the bodyweight or another LBM of a Chinchilla rabbit. The Г values also showed high significance at 5, 1 and 0.1% respectively. This means that the probability of determining the bodyweight or LBMs using LBMs is possible at 95, 99 and 99.9 trial times respectively. Key words: Chinchilla, breeds, linear body measurements, correlations.