Caracterização morfometrica de ovinos deslanados no extremo sul piauiense

Abstract

The present study aimed to morphometrically characterize hair sheep in the micro-region of the extreme south of Piauí, covering nine municipalities with transitional climate and vegetation between Caatinga and Cerrado. A total of 199 animals aged 0 to 24 months were evaluated, belonging to different farms in the region. The measurements taken included body weight (BW), thoracic perimeter (TP), withers height (WH), rump height (RH), and chest height (CH), obtained using a measuring tape with the animals in correct stance position. The data were standardized and analyzed using Principal Component Analysis and non-hierarchical clustering through the K-means algorithm, aiming to identify development patterns and similarities among individuals. Mean results indicated accelerated growth during the first six months, with animals aged 0–3 months showing body weight of 9.03 ± 5.61 kg, thoracic perimeter of 44.6 ± 7.91 cm, withers/rump height of 41.8 ± 5.54 cm, and chest height of 25.9 ± 3.48 cm; while animals aged 3–6 months reached 19.1 ± 7.36 kg, 57.7 ± 5.56 cm, 51.4 ± 4.13 cm, and 28.8 ± 3.03 cm, respectively. In the age groups of 6–12 and 12–24 months, reductions in the parameters were observed, indicating variations related to genetic factors, management, and environment. It is concluded that morphometric characterization provides essential information for management practices, genetic improvement, and increased productivity of sheep in extensive systems in the studied region.