Morphometric Diversity of Swamp Buffalo in South Konawe District, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia

Abstract This study aims to analyze the morphometric diversity of swamp buffalo in South Konawe Regency in terms of age, sex and grazing area. The research location is a swamp buffalo grazing area in Angata and Mowila sub-districts, South Konawe Regency. A total of 150 swamp buffalo were observed for their body weight and body dimensions. The variables observed include: body weight, chest circumference, body length, shoulder height, and hip width. Based on the results and discussion, it can be concluded that: (1) Buffalo age has a significant effect (P<0.05) on morphometric characteristics in the form of body weight, chest circumference, body length, shoulder height and hip width, but sex and grazing location do not have a significant effect (P>0.05), (2) Body weight has a higher level of diversity (25.36%) compared to body dimensions which range from 9.61-16.78%. Sex and grazing area cause a higher level of morphometric diversity compared to buffalo age. In general, the level of morphometric diversity of swamp buffalo in South Konawe Regency is in the moderate to high category, so that genetic quality improvements in morphometric traits can be carried out through a selection program.