Biodiversity of indigenous Djallonke sheep (Ovis aries) in Sudano Guinean region in Cameroon

Abstract

In order to study the biodiversity of Cameroon indigenous Djallonke sheep, a study was conducted between July and September 2016 in the Sudano-Guinean zone of Cameroon. A total of 280 adult sheep (24 months old) including 77 males and 203 females from 112 farms in 13 districts of 4 divisions was measured and analyzed. The variance analysis showed variability in the population. According to the principal components analysis, the body length, chest circumference, withers height and the live weight were potentially discriminating characters of the ovine population studied. The discriminant analysis revealed a population made of three genetic types with genetic type I having the highest characteristics. The phylogenetic analysis showed that type II and III are closer and type I and III are genetically more distant. High intra-genetic variability was observed within the population studied. The linear
regression equation (LW = 0.8092CG + 58.923) with a coefficient of determination (R2 = 0.66) predicts better the live weight. This results offer possibilities for genetic improvement. Characterization, leading to conservation and sustainable use of indigenous sheep genetic resources in Cameroon’s smallholder production system. The possible threats to the current potentials may be genetic erosion, climate change, low productivity and disease susceptibility.