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Multivariate analysis of sexual size dimorphism in local turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) in Nigeria

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Abstract

Sexual size dimorphism is a key evolutionary feature that can lead to important biological insights. To improve methods of sexing live birds in the field, we assessed sexual size dimorphism in Nigerian local turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) using multivariate techniques. Measurements were taken on 125 twenty-week-old birds reared under the intensive management system. The body parameters measured were body weight, body length, breast girth, thigh length, shank length, keel length, wing length and wing span. Univariate analysis revealed that toms (males) had significantly (P < 0.05) higher mean values than hens (females) in all the measured traits. Positive phenotypic correlations between body weight and body measurements ranged from 0.445 to 0.821 in toms and 0.053–0.660 in hens, respectively. Three principal components (PC1, PC2 and PC3) were extracted in toms, each accounting for 63.70%, 19.42% and 5.72% of the total variance, respectively. However, four principal components (PC1, PC2, PC3 and PC4) were extracted in hens, which explained 54.03%, 15.29%, 11.68% and 6.95%, respectively of the generalised variance. A stepwise discriminant function analysis of the eight morphological traits indicated that body weight, body length, tail length and wing span were the most discriminating variables in separating the sexes. The single discriminant function obtained was able to correctly classify 100% of the birds into their source population. The results obtained from the present study could aid future management decisions, ecological studies and conservation of local turkeys in a developing economy.

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Abbreviations

BW:

Body weight

BG:

Breast girth

BL:

Body length

D:

Discriminant function

KL:

Keel length

PC:

Principal component

SL:

Shank length

TL:

Thigh length

WL:

Wing length

WS:

Wing span

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria

    Oyeyemi O. Ajayi, Oluwaseun O. Jayeola, Michael I. Takeet, Michael O. Ozoje, Christian O. N. Ikeobi & Sunday O. Peters

  2. Department of Animal Science, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Nigeria

    Abdulmojeed Yakubu

  3. Department of Animal Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA

    Ikhide G. Imumorin & Sunday O. Peters

  4. Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria

    Michael I. Takeet

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  1. Oyeyemi O. Ajayi
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  2. Abdulmojeed Yakubu
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  3. Oluwaseun O. Jayeola
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  4. Ikhide G. Imumorin
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  5. Michael I. Takeet
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  6. Michael O. Ozoje
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  7. Christian O. N. Ikeobi
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  8. Sunday O. Peters
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Correspondence to Sunday O. Peters.

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Ajayi, O.O., Yakubu, A., Jayeola, O.O. et al. Multivariate analysis of sexual size dimorphism in local turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) in Nigeria. Trop Anim Health Prod 44, 1089–1095 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-011-0044-6

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