Effect of coat and skin color variation on longevity, ethnological and functional indices in local goats

Abstract

The aim of this research was to evaluate the effect of variation in number and diversity of colors, coat pattern, and skin color and its effect on longevity and etnological indices in local goats from Northern Mexico. Two hundred fifty-one adult goats were chosen. The aforementioned variables were recorded in addition to age, live weight (LW), body condition (BC), and fifteen zoometric traits. Seventeen indices were calculated. The group with two colors was different (P<0.05) in age and BC. Skin color was different in LW and BC (P<0.05). BC was higher in white coat mottled animals (P<0.05). The one-color group presented the highest Facial Index. Flat-coated Animals had higher Index of horns. Cephalic, pelvic, facial, compactness, relative chest depth, substernal slenderness, and relative shortness indices were different in coat color. It is concluded that this population was phaneroptically heterogeneous and the number, diversity of colors, coat pattern, and skin color influence the longevity and ethnological and functional indices.

Coat Color in Local Goats: Influence on Environmental Adaptation and Productivity, and Use as a Selection Criterion

“…Some efforts have been made in northern Mexico [94] that have shed light on a possible effect of coat and skin color on local goats' longevity and phenotypic differentiation. Nevertheless, these data need to be corroborated and studied in more detail, and, in the case that results are verified, this would be advantageous as an indirect selection criterion, since greater ease of recognition of desirable animals and greater longevity are directly related to a longer productive life [90,94]. The animal's color is one of the most important means of identification between and within herds [64].…”