Morphometric traits in Crioula Lanada ewes in Southern Brazil

Fifteen morphometric traits and body weight (BW) from 319 adult Crioula Lanada ewes were evaluated. The influence of wool type and geographic location (fixed effects) was tested, in addition to Pearson correlation, factor and discriminatory analysis according to geographic regions and breed ecotypes. Analysis was carried out using the Statistical Analysis System Program. Geographic location revealed significant effect (P < 0.001) on morphometric traits. Most correlations were significant (P < 0.05), thoracic perimeter (TP) with BW (0.72) being the strongest. Correlations between head and body measurements were medium or weak, strongest being between BWs. Multivariate analysis revealed 81% of variance using two factors, where three groups of variables were identified (general body, head and one group including thoracic and BW, respectively). Fine discrimination between herds and also the Fronteira and Serrana ecotypes were observed which opens door to valuable validation of how phenotype relates to genotype and associated SNPs in the Crioula Lanada breed.