Discriminant analysis of morphometric traits across growth stages in native goat breeds

BACKGROUND: Morphometric measurements can be used for the separation of animal breeds. The hypothesis of this manuscript is based on the assumption that the discriminatory power of morphometric features can change during the growth process. For this aim Angora, Hair, Kilis, and Honamlı goat breeds in three different ages that at birth, weaning (90 days of age), and mature (one year old) animals from were evaluated. METHODS: For dimension reduction Principal Component Analysis was used and Multivariate Discriminant Stepwise Analysis Method (MDASM) was used to determine the differences and grouping levels in terms of biometric measurements of nine animals per genotype such as height at wither (HW), height at sacrum (HS), body length (BL), chest girth (CG), chest width (CW), and chest circumference (CC) for discrimination of goat genotypes. RESULTS: Our results showed that there were differences among ages that at birth, weaning, and mature in spite of discrimination according to biometric measurements. The highest correct classification rate obtained for mature age (91.18%) which was 25.66% higher than age of birth. CONCLUSIONS: These findings supported that the measurements taken at mature age should be used for robust discrimination. The chest girth, chest circumference, and chest width were found the most significant variables for classification.