Abstract

This study was conducted to identify and phenotypic characterization of the existing indigenous cattle genetic resources in the three districts of West Gondar zone of Amhara Region based on their descriptive morphological characteristics. A total of six sampling sites were purposively selected based on the distribution of unique cattle types. Key informant and focus group discussions were used to identify the new genetic resources. A total of 180 adult male and 720 female cattle were selected for 20 morphological and 9 biometrical traits. The focus group discussions revealed that, diversified indigenous cattle were found (Fellata in Quara, Rutana in Metema, Miramir in West Armachiho and Qocherie from all Districts). The overall mean linear body measurements of male cattle for horn length, body length, heart girth, canon bone length and cannon bone circumferences were 23.92 cm, 127.97 cm, 161.15cm, 20.37 cm and 19.81 respectively. Females had horn length (25.86 cm), body length (122.85 cm), pelvic width (37.47 cm) and canon bone length (19.26 cm), canon bone circumferences (18.36 cm) and mouth circumferences (36 cm). In a discriminate analysis, all sampled populations were classified with the overall hit rates of 75 for males and 60 for females. The shortest and longest mehalanobis distances were between Abrajira with Dubaba (0.762) and Gendawuha Birshign with Mirt Gelegu (37.88) for male and Gendawuha Birshign with Dubaba (0.358) and Gendawuha Birshign with Mirt Gelegu (29.37) for females, respectively. In stepwise discriminate analysis the top traits which were highly discriminated male cattle populations were cannon bone length, horn length and cannon bone circumferences. This was similar in females except the replacement of cannon bone circumferences with mouth circumferences. Three clusters were formed (Fellata from Mirt Gelegu in cluster one and Qocherie from Gendawuha Birshign, Dubaba and Abrajira in cluster two and Rutta from Lominat Forgena and Miramir from Gilal Wuha in cluster three. Three indigenous cattle types were identified with their phenotypic features and further molecular characterization should be done to confirm their genetic distinctiveness. © 2020, Online Journal of Animal and Feed Research. All Rights Reserved.