Comparative analysis of phenotypic and genetic correlations between zootechnical traits in domestic reindeer

The study was conducted to determine the possibility of using phenotypic correlations between traits as an indirect indicator of genetic correlations in domestic reindeer (Rangifer tarandus L.). The assessment of phenotypic parameters of the exterior and live weight of reindeer was carried out at the Yamal Experimental Station, a separate structural subdivision of the Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution, the Tyumen Scientific Center, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences. The object of the study was a population sample of 94 adult females of the Nenets breed, selected at random, without constitution defects and having a calf. in October 2020. A total of 94 does (adult females) aged 3 to 9 years were examined. The animals were well-fed, had a calf and had no visible constitution defects. The sample showed high positive phenotypic correlations between “height at withers” and “height at elbow” (=0.84), “height at withers” and “chest depth” (=0.71), “live weight” and “chest girth” (=0.63), as well as between “live weight” and “chest depth” (=0.6). Genetic correlations between traits calculated using genotypes of microsatellite markers showed comparable results. For the pair of measurements “height at withers” and “height at elbow”, the genetic correlation was about 0.83, and for the pair “height at withers” and “chest depth” it was about 0.71. The results of comparative analysis between phenotypic and genetic correlation matrices demonstrated a high degree of consistency. It has been shown that phenotypic correlations can potentially be used as an indirect indicator of genetic correlations for reindeer selection for live weight and linear body dimensions.