TY  - JOUR
T1  - Morphometrical Traits and Structural Indices of Malle Cattle Reared in the
South Omo Zone of Southwest Ethiopia
AU - Getaneh, Demerew AU - Taye, Mestawet AU - Banerjee, Sandip 
JO  - Research Journal of Animal Sciences
VL  - 14
IS  - 1
SP  - 1
EP  - 11
PY  - 2020
DA  - 2001/08/19
SN  - 1993-5269
DO  - rjnasci.2020.1.11
UR  - https://makhillpublications.co/view-article.php?doi=rjnasci.2020.1.11
KW  - morphometrical traits
KW  -Malle cattle
KW  -Ethiopia
KW  -South Omo
KW  -structural indices
AB  - The study was conducted to morphometrically and morphologically characterized Malle cattle using
some predefined qualitative and quantitative parameters and to develop some structural indices to access their
type and function. Data were collected through field observations and linear measurements of sample cattle.
A total of 360 cattle of different ages of were selected randomly from different locations and morphometrical
measurements were carried out on it. Qualitative traits were evaluated using non parametric tests. Quantitative
traits were analysed using descriptive statistics. The observed coat color patterns of cattle were predominantly
plain. Red and white colored animals predominated across both the sexes. The result of morphometrical
measurements indicated that Bulls with young age group (4 year age) exert strong significant effect (p<0.01)
on Heart Girth (HG), Height at Rump (HR), Height at Withers (HW), Neck Circumference (NC), Muzzle
Circumference (MC) and Chest Depth (CD) while in cows with age group 4 significant effect (p<0.01) on heart
girth (HG) and muzzle circumference (MC) whereas (p<0.05) Height at Withers (HW) were observed.
Similarly, in age group 5 significance effect (p<0.01) on Heart Girth (HG), Neck Circumference (NC) and
Chest Width (CW) whereas (p<0.05) Height at Rump (HR) and Height at Wither (HW) were also observed.
The weight of the bulls and cows were best assessed using skeletal measurements viz. body length, height at
withers and rump, besides chest depth and width. The findings from the structural indices also indicated that
the cattle were well balanced and body length and height were more or less proportional. It was conclude that,
along with other managerial improvement, the productive aptitude of the cattle through morphometry can
provides relevant information to guide and enhance their productive performance.
ER  -