Abstract :
Fifteen morphometric traits and body weight (BW) from 319 adult Crioula Lanada ewes
were evaluated. The influence of wool type and geographic location (fixed effects) was
tested, in addition to Pearson correlation, factor and discriminatory analysis according
to geographic regions and breed ecotypes. Analysis was carried out using the Statistical
Analysis System Program. Geographic location revealed significant effect (P < 0.001) on morphometric
traits. Most correlations were significant (P < 0.05), thoracic perimeter (TP) with
BW (0.72) being the strongest. Correlations between head and body measurements were
medium or weak, strongest being between BWs. Multivariate analysis revealed 81% of variance
using two factors, where three groups of variables were identified (general body, head
and one group including thoracic and BW, respectively). Fine discrimination between herds
and also the Fronteira and Serrana ecotypes were observed which opens door to valuable
validation of how phenotype relates to genotype and associated SNPs in the Crioula Lanada
breed
