Evaluation of Extent of Admixture among Sheep Breeds in Nigeria Using Multiple Discriminant Analysis

Abstract

A total of forty-six (46) Balami, thirty (30) Uda, thirty-six (36) Yankasa and thirty-seven (37) WAD sheep were sampled from Bauchi, Katsina, Nasarawa and Anambra States, respectively using multistage sampling method. The common morphological features of the different breeds were used to identify and ascribe sampled animals to a breed. Multiple discriminant analysis was carried out on the data obtained using the following equation D=_v1X₁+_v2X₂+_v3X₃+_viX_i+a. Euclidean as the distance measurement, single linkage, average linkage, and complete linkage were applied through R 2.13.0. Conformation to the features of West African Dwarf Sheep (WAD) and Yankasa was reported as 100%. However, Balami had 70.59% as its breed conformation. Conformation to the morphological features of Uda was recorded as 60%.The discriminant analysis provided maximum conformation to breed features for WAD and Yankasa sheep, but some substantial deviation from features of Balami and Uda breeds. Efforts should be made at conservation of the unique genetic resources of Balami and Uda sheep in Nigeria.