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Morphological divergence in the West African shorthorn Lagune cattle populations from Benin

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Abstract

This study explored the potential role of agro-ecology in shaping the morphology of Lagune cattle population of Benin. A total of 708 adult Lagune cattle were sampled randomly from nine provenances in two agro-ecological zones (AEZs) and were assessed for eight qualitative and twelve linear body measurements. Data were analyzed using generalized linear model procedures (PROC GLM) followed by the multiple comparison of least square means (LSMEAN) according to the Tukey-Kramer method and multivariate analytical methods, including canonical discrimination analysis (CDA) and hierarchical ascendant classification. Irrespective of AEZ and sex, the body length (102.3 ± 9.31 cm) was greater than the wither height (93.1 ± 7.39 cm) and the body index smaller than 0.85. However, there were significant differences between the two AEZs for most of the measured morphometric and qualitative traits. Moreover, a male-biased sexual size dimorphism was recorded. The CDA based on only four basic body measurements (rump height, body length, heart girth, and ear length) and the calculated Mahalanobis distances suggest that the populations from the two AEZs are distinct and could be further considered ecotypes. Nevertheless, the overall moderate classification rate (70%) of the individual animals into their group of origin indicates interbreeding between the two populations. The pairwise Mahalanobis distances between provenances in the same AEZ were also significant. Together, these results provide supporting evidence for the existence of subdivisions in the Lagune cattle populations from South Benin. The high morphological diversity in the Lagune cattle recorded in the present study could serve as a starting point for the development of efficient selection and sound subpopulation management strategies but also for further phenotypic and genetic characterizations.

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Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to all the cattle farmers for their valuable help and collaboration during the field work.

Funding

This study was funded by the German Volkswagen Foundation (grant number Az 89367).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Ecole des Sciences et Techniques de Production Animale, Faculté des Sciences Agronomiques, Université d’Abomey-Calavi, 03 Boîte Postale 2819 Jericho, Cotonou, Benin

    Maurice Cossi Ahozonlin, Luc Hippolyte Dossa & Mahamadou Dahouda

  2. Ecole de Gestion et d’Exploitation des Systèmes d’Elevage, Université Nationale d’Agriculture, Boîte Postale 43, Kétou, Benin

    Armand Bienvenu Gbangboche

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  1. Maurice Cossi Ahozonlin
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  2. Luc Hippolyte Dossa
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  4. Armand Bienvenu Gbangboche
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Correspondence to Luc Hippolyte Dossa.

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The manuscript does not contain clinical studies or patient data.

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Informed consent was obtained from all individual participant Lagune Cattle farmers included in this study.

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Body measurements and morphological description were obtained with the permission of the farmers. The measured animals were managed by the farmers themselves. All applicable international, national, and/or institutional guidelines for the care and use of animals were followed.

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Ahozonlin, M.C., Dossa, L.H., Dahouda, M. et al. Morphological divergence in the West African shorthorn Lagune cattle populations from Benin. Trop Anim Health Prod 52, 803–814 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-019-02071-1

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