Abstract
Simple SummaryThe first step towards the protection and valorization of the genetic resources of a country is their definition. Although Ecuadorian zootechnical species are very diverse, they are scarcely characterized, and hence the efforts towards their protection are not as fruitful as they could be. The present paper approaches the biometric characterization of the Creole hen population in Ecuador through the study of sexual dimorphism and the differentiation of an agroecologically-based structured population using fourteen zoometric measures as differentiation criteria. Highlands region provinces of Cotopaxi and Tungurahua were the most zoometrically distant from the rest. However, Morona Santiago province population in the Amazonian region slightly differs from those in Guayas, Chimborazo and Bolívar in the Coastal and Highlands regions, respectively. The dual-purpose nature of Ecuadorian Creole hen resources enables the implementation of breeding programs that seek meeting a wider scope of public demands, through the definition of the agroecologically-based breed differentiated production of local hen eggs and meat.Despite Ecuador having a wide biodiversity of zootechnical species, characterization studies of these genetic resources are scarce. The objective of this research was to perform the biometric characterization of the Creole hen population through 14 quantitative zoometric measures. We evaluated 207 hens and 37 roosters from Ecuador’s three agro-ecological regions: the Sierra (highlands) region (Bolivar, Chimborazo, Tungurahua and Cotopaxi provinces); the Costa (coastal) region (Guayas); and the Oriente Amazonian region (Morona Santiago). Sexual dimorphism was assessed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Body dimensions were generally significantly higher for males (p < 0.05), especially for length of head, beak, neck, dorsum, tarsus, thigh, leg, and middle finger. Then, individuals were biometrically clustered into populations after a stepwise canonical discriminant analysis (CDA) computing interpopulation Mahalanobis distances. Agroecologically-based structured populations were identified when zoometrical criteria were used to classify the animals. Cotopaxi and Tungurahua provinces were reported to be the most distant from the rest, with a slight differentiation of the Morona Santiago province population from those in Guayas, Chimborazo and Bolívar. Conclusively, Ecuadorian Creole hens were higher than longer contrasting light hen breeds, which favors their dual-purpose aptitude. Hence, the development of selection programs aimed at Ecuadorian differentiated entity of production of eggs and meat across agro-ecological areas is feasible.
Highlights
Genetic diversity of domestic hens existing across Ecuador is promoted by climatic stratification and natural and human driven selection
The aim of this study was to perform differentiated zoometric characterization of Creole hens through the application of a canonical discriminant analysis (CDA) to provide insights on the possible clustering patterns described by the population and into which subpopulations can be distinguished using Ecuadorian provinces as the criteria of origin [24]
Discussion and Salako [62] in indigenous chickens in Nigeria, which reported such differences to be based on the hormonal effects of sex that condition growth
Summary
Genetic diversity of domestic hens existing across Ecuador is promoted by climatic stratification and natural and human driven selection. Husbandry practices characterized by the use of rustic animals in free range conditions with a low capital investment, which enables assuming a relatively low economic risk to implement an efficient productive management to produce high-biological-value protein sources such as meat and eggs [8,9] These products are preferred among consumers because of their pigmentation, taste, and lean quality of meat [10,11]; which translates into acceptable income that returns to each family, closing the cycle [12,13,14,15,16,17]
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