Abstract:

This work aims to assess the genetic diversity of local cattle breeds in Cameroon. For this purpose, biometric data were collected in six (6) localities of Mayo-Banyo, at random, on a sample of 321 adult Gudali variety Banyo zebus (234 cows and 87 bulls) aged 6 to 16 years old, with the body condition score varying from 2 to 4. Body measurements (cm) are presented as follows: Height at the withers (129.34 ± 0.50), height at the sacrum (134.56 ± 0.37), chest depth (67.37 ± 0.33), head length (47.62 ± 0.42), forehead length (20.33 ± 0.20), horn length (34.45 ± 1.56), ear length (22.66 ± 0.26), body length (187.74 ± 2.45), trunk length (130.5 ± 1.27), scapulo-ischial length (137.88 ± 1.33), pelvic length (42.87 ± 0.31), tail length (100.52 ± 0.88), pelvis width (38.31 ± 0.32), face width (17.61 ± 0.27), muzzle circumference (44.60 ± 0.44), chest circumference (167.81 ± 1.46), barrel circumference (18.60 ± 0.16), hock circumference (38.72 ± 0.35), hump circumference (73.37 ± 1.92) and live weight (350.24 ± 8.70). The main biometric indices are: The massivity index (2.69 ± 0.06 kg / cm), proportionality (94.42 ± 1.06), cephalic (37.13 ± 0.55), body profile (0.69 ± 0.01), surface (1.79 ± 0.02m2), format (1.44 ± 0.01), scapulo-ischial (1.06 ± 0.01), typist-thoracic (0.11 ± 0.00), thoracic development (0.77 ± 0.00), framing (0.14 ± 0.00). Bulls and other cattle reared in controlled systems presented a large format. The discriminant factor analysis made it possible to detect three morphometric types identifiable with two phenotypes.

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