MORPHOMETRIC AND PHENOTYPIC CHARACTERISTICS OF MUTURU CATTLE IN THREE SELECTED STATES OF NIGERIA

Abstract

ABSTRACT Most indigenous breeds of cattle have been identified, but their phenotypic and morphometric characteristics across different locations are largely unknown. Muturu cattle are endangered breed, primarily raised for meat and socio-cultural purposes. This study evaluated the morphometric and phenotypic characteristics of Muturu cattle in three selected states in Nigeria (Ogun, Benue and Ebonyi). The study was subdivided into three (first, Demographic characteristics of Muturu cattle farmers were collected using structured questionnaires. Secondly, a total of 360 extensively managed Muturu cattle aged 2 years and above were used for data collection. Thirdly, twenty intensively managed calves from birth to yearling (a year) were also used). Morphometric traits such as body length (BL), neck length (NL), heart girth (HG), rump height (RH), height at wither (HAW), muzzle circumference (MC), horn length (HL), ear length (EL) and ear width (EW) were measured with tape rule in centimeters (cm). Phenotypic traits such as coat colour, hair sheen, hair curl, facial profile, horn orientation among others were observed. Data obtained were subjected to completely randomized design using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS, 2004). Results showed that location had a significant (p<0.05) effect on all linear body measurements (LBMs) considered except NL, MC, EL and EW. Similarly, sex of the animals significantly (p<0.05) affected all LBMs as bulls were consistently superior than cows across all measured traits. Influence of age was also significant (p<0.05) on LBMs. Among the calves, LBMs increased as they advanced in age, particularly in traits such as HL and BL. Meanwhile, adult cattle between ages 6-9 years ceased growing showing significant age-related differences. Phenotypically, Muturu cattle depicted a coat colour of black and white (41.2 % and 47.1 %) in Ogun and Ebonyi while in Benue they were mostly black (37.1%). Colour pattern is either plain or patchy in all the locations and the hair is glossy in Ogun (58.8%), Benue (79.3 %) and Ebonyi (85.7 %) states. Muturu has a concave facial profile and black horn colour in Ogun (87.3 %), Benue (87.3 %) and Ebonyi (100 %). Horn orientation of Muturu cattle was upward in Ogun (32.7 %) and Benue (40.7 %) and forward orientation in Ebonyi (47.1 %). Rump profile was sloppy in Ogun, Benue and Ebonyi as 73.90 %, 61.40 % and 53.60 % respectively. Average birth weight of Muturu calves was 11.80 kg and 98.37 kg at 12months old. Body length (BL) ranges from 39.60 cm to 89.87 cm, RH from 49.80 cm to 93.15 cm, HAW from 45.40 cm to 87.65 cm, NL from 11.10 cm to 25.76 cm and HG from 56.20 cm to 110.20 cm from birth till one year old. The most reliable predictors of liveweight were identified with heart girth and rump height, with prediction models demonstrating high coefficients of determination. The findings underscored Muturu cattle in Benue state to be superior in body linear parameters compared to other locations. It was recommended that location, sex and age influenced LBMs and age should be considered for prediction equation.