title: Assessing admixture by multivariate analyses of phenotypic differentiation in the Algerian goat livestock.
abstract: In Algeria, goat research has been largely neglected, in spite of the economic importance of this domestic species for rural livelihoods. Goat farming is traditional and cross-breeding practices are current. The phenotypic variability of the four main native breeds (Arabia, Makatia, M'zabite and Kabyle), and of two exotic breeds (Alpine and Saanen), was investigated for the first time, using multivariate discriminant analysis. A total of 892 females were sampled in a large area, including the cradle of the native breeds, and phenotyped with 23 quantitative measures and 10 qualitative traits. Our results suggested that cross-breeding practices have ever led to critical consequences, particularly for Makatia and M'zabite. The information reported in this study has to be carefully considered in order to establish governmental plan able to prevent the genetic dilution of the Algerian goat livestock.
authors.affiliation: Science Veterinary Institute, University of Blida, BP 270, Blida, 09000, Algeria.|Laboratory of Biotechnology related to Animal Reproduction (LBRA), University of Blida, BP 270, Blida, 09000, Algeria.
authors.forename: Nadjet-Amina
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Ouchene-Khelifi
authors.affiliation: Science Veterinary Institute, University of Blida, BP 270, Blida, 09000, Algeria.
authors.forename: Nassim
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ouchene
authors.affiliation: Science Veterinary Institute, University of Blida, BP 270, Blida, 09000, Algeria.
authors.forename: Abderrahman
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Maftah
authors.affiliation: Animal Molecular Genetics Unit (UGMA), UMR INRA 1061, University of Limoges, Limoges, 8700, France. anne.blondeau@unilim.fr.
authors.forename: Anne Blondeau
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Da Silva
authors.affiliation: Science Veterinary Institute, University of Blida, BP 270, Blida, 09000, Algeria.|Laboratory of Biotechnology related to Animal Reproduction (LBRA), University of Blida, BP 270, Blida, 09000, Algeria.
authors.forename: Mohamed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lafri
mesh_terms: D000462:Algeria; D000822:Animal Husbandry; D000818:Animals; D001947:Breeding; D005260:Female; D005843:Geography; D006041:Goats / Q000235:genetics*; D058751:Livestock / Q000235:genetics; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010641:Phenotype
keywords: Algerian goat breed; Cross-breeding; Genetic dilution; Morpho-biometric characterization; Multivariate discriminant analysis; Quantitative and qualitative variables