Diversity and morphological characterization of new Algerian sheep breeds (among others): insights from phenotypic analysis

Several sheep breeds and populations in Algeria exhibit considerable phenotypic and genotypic diversity, reflecting their specific traits and adaptation levels. Despite their geographic distances, some populations appear genetically similar, suggesting a shared ancestral origin. This study aimed to investigate the body morphology of seven Algerian sheep populations: Hamra, Rembi, Tazegzawt, Ouled Djellal, D’man, Sidaoun, and Ifilene, originating from regions such as Naâma, Tiaret, Béjaïa, Ouled Djellal, Biskra, and Adrar. A total of 333 sheep were analyzed across 17 body measurements and two qualitative traits—Breed and Region.Morphometric characterization was conducted using descriptive analyses, variance analysis, hierarchical clustering (CAH), principal component analysis (PCA), and Pearson correlation. These methods revealed significant differences among the seven populations regarding both quantitative and qualitative characteristics. The results underscore the influence of climatic and geographic factors on the morphological traits of the animals. Specifically, PCA and CAH showed distinct clustering of breeds based on their morphological traits, indicating both unique and shared characteristics among the populations.In summary, the phenotypic analysis confirms that the seven sheep populations are distinct from one another, with their morphological differences largely attributable to adaptation to local environmental conditions and the breeding systems employed in their respective regions. The study highlights the independence of these populations and provides valuable insights into the impact of geography and climate on sheep morphology in Algeria.