Phenotypic Features and Serum Protein (SDS–PAGE) Characteristics of Muscovy Cairina moschata and Mallard Anas platyrhynchos Ducks in Nigeria
Genetic diversity in the head features of ducks
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.46325/0tcfdm32Keywords:
bill length, drake, electrophoresis, hen, neck ring heightAbstract
Muscovy (Cairina moschata) and Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) ducks are the most available breeds being raised as alternative to chickens in Nigeria. Thus, this study compared head and neck morphometric characteristics, plumage patterns and serum protein of these two ducks. A total of 84 Mallards and 62 Muscovies, were measured for head length, head-to-nostril distance, head width, neck length, bill dimensions, and neck ring height. The head plumage coloration and neck ring expression were documented across sexes. Sodium Dodecyl Sulphate - Polyacylamide Gel Electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) were carried out on the serum protein from the blood samples. Mallards, drakes exhibited higher significant (p<0.05) values for head length (9.22 ±0.30 cm), head width (2.70 ±0.21 cm), neck length (15.0 ±1.05cm), and bill length (5.52 ±0.23 cm) compared with hens. Muscovy drakes similarly displayed significantly (p<0.05) larger head length (9.02 ±0.41 cm vs. 7.77 ±0.44 cm) and bill length (4.66 ± 0.49 cm vs. 4.19 ±0.21 cm) than hen. Between species, Muscovies were generally characterized by significantly (p<0.05) longer necks compared with Mallards. Bill width was more variable, with Mallard hens averaging 2.54 ±0.12 cm versus 2.03 ±0.48 cm in Muscovy hens. A distinct neck ring (3.68 ±2.35 cm) and bright-green head (100%) was observed in Mallard drakes, while hens showed either dark grey (43.3%) or light grey (66.7%) head plumage. In contrast, Muscovies displayed greater variability across sexes, with predominantly black heads (59.3%), followed by black-and-white (34.9%) and white (5.8%) patterns. Neck rings were recorded only in Mallard drakes, either perfect (66.7%) or diffuse (33.3%). The clustering pattern in the dendrogram for each breed reflects a complementary approach to morphological measurements for assessing breed differentiation, genetic diversity, and possibly even health or adaptive traits. These findings provide insight into breed identification, sexual dimorphism, and adaptive morphological divergence between the two duck species.
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