Morphological characterization of sheep in Djelfa province (Algeria)

The morphological characterization of animal genetic resources is a fundamental approach to ensure food security in developing countries. The objective of this study was to morphologically characterize the sheep of the Djelfa province, a prominent region in sheep farming in Algeria. After evaluating 396 sheep, including 32 rams, and analyzing 34 parameters, including 19 quantitative ones, it was found that sheep in this region are characterized by their white color, with hind limbs spotted in fawn, pigmentation around the nostrils, and drooping ears not exceeding the labial commissures, as well as a fine, long tail extending beyond the hock. The ewes are characterized by a long and eumetric body shape, with a subconcave to straight profile along the dorsal line, and a semi–invading fleece with pigmentation around the udder. Rams, on the other hand, are horned, hypermetric in body shape, with a straight profile of the muzzle, and an invading fleece with pigmentation around the scrotum and prepuce. Analysis of quantitative data by PCA and Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA) revealed the presence of a small–sized group in the Western regions of Djelfa and a large–sized group in the Eastern regions. This morphological diversity results from the complex interaction of biological, environmental, and economic factors.