Volume 10, Issue 5: 240-248; September 25, 2020  
PHENOTYPIC CHARACTERIZATION OF GENETIC RESOURCES OF  
INDIGENOUS CATTLE IN WEST GONDAR ZONE OF ETHIOPIA  
Eshet EMRU1, Solomon ABEGAZ2, Addis GETU1 , Araya MENGISTU1, Tewodros FANTAHUN1  
1 College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal sciences, University of Gondar, Ethiopia  
2 Gondar Agricultural Research Centre, Ethiopia  
Supporting Information  
ABSTRACT: This study was conducted to identify and phenotypic characterization of the existing indigenous  
cattle genetic resources in the three districts of West Gondar zone of Amhara Region based on their descriptive  
morphological characteristics. A total of six sampling sites were purposively selected based on the distribution of  
unique cattle types. Key informant and focus group discussions were used to identify the new genetic resources.  
A total of 180 adult male and 720 female cattle were selected for 20 morphological and 9 biometrical traits.  
The focus group discussions revealed that, diversified indigenous cattle were found (Fellata in Quara, Rutana in  
Metema, Miramir in West Armachiho and Qocherie from all Districts). The overall mean linear body  
measurements of male cattle for horn length, body length, heart girth, canon bone length and cannon bone  
circumferences were 23.92 cm, 127.97 cm, 161.15cm, 20.37 cm and 19.81 respectively. Females had horn  
length (25.86 cm), body length (122.85 cm), pelvic width (37.47 cm) and canon bone length (19.26 cm), canon  
bone circumferences (18.36 cm) and mouth circumferences (36 cm). In a discriminate analysis, all sampled  
populations were classified with the overall hit rates of 75% for males and 60% for females. The shortest and  
longest mehalanobis distances were between Abrajira with Dubaba (0.762) and Gendawuha Birshign with Mirt  
Gelegu (37.88) for male and Gendawuha Birshign with Dubaba (0.358) and Gendawuha Birshign with Mirt  
Gelegu (29.37) for females, respectively. In stepwise discriminate analysis the top traits which were highly  
discriminated male cattle populations were cannon bone length, horn length and cannon bone circumferences.  
This was similar in females except the replacement of cannon bone circumferences with mouth circumferences.  
Three clusters were formed (Fellata from Mirt Gelegu in cluster one and Qocherie from Gendawuha Birshign,  
Dubaba and Abrajira in cluster two and Rutta from Lominat Forgena and Miramir from Gilal Wuha in cluster  
three. Three indigenous cattle types were identified with their phenotypic features and further molecular  
characterization should be done to confirm their genetic distinctiveness.  
Keywords: Cattle, Characterization, Genetic Resources, Phenotype, West Gondar Region.  
INTRODUCTION  
Ethiopia is rich in animal genetic resources both in diversity and population number in Africa (Endashaw, 2010). The  
current national estimated number of livestock population except for the three zones of Afar and six zones of Somali  
region; 59.5 million cattle, 30.7 million sheep 30.2 million goat, 1.21 million camel, 56.53 million poultry, 2.16 million  
horses, 0.41 million mules and 8.44 million donkeys (CSA, 2017). According to FAO (2010) at the level of national  
economy average livestock production contributes about 30-35% of agricultural gross domestic product (GDP) and 1-16%  
of the overall national GDP. The same source indicated that cattle have the highest figure and most important sources  
which contributed about 35% in agricultural GDP and 15% in total GDP. Among livestock population, cattle contribute a  
lot to improve the wellbeing of the farm family through food supply, balancing nutrition, income, savings, insurance, ritual  
and other social purposes.  
The contribution of livestock to the country‘s economy is too low when compared with the population size. This  
might be due to weak estimation methodology or weak analysis of economic values of livestock products and poor plane  
of nutrition, prevalence of disease and lack of appropriate breeding strategies (Mezgebe et al., 2018; Sasaki et al., 2019).  
To divert this challenges; identification and phenotypic characterization of cattle genetic resources are necessary in order  
to develop breed improvement programs (FAO, 2007). However, based on the previous work at national level, there is  
insufficient information about breed characterization at phenotypic and genetic levels (DAGRIS, 2009; Kemp et al., 2007).  
Similarly, no one has conducted a research work on phenotypic characterization of cattle genetic resources in the border  
of Sudan in the Western part of West Gondar zone. Therefore, with this gap the specific objective was initiated to identify  
and phenotypically characterize cattle genetic resources in West Gondar zone, Amhara Region, Ethiopia.  
MATERIAL AND METHODS  
Description of the study area  
The study was conducted in the three districts namely Quara, Metema and West Armachiho of West Gondar zone.  
Exploratory approach and purposive sampling techniques were used to characterize the unique and diversified cattle  
240  
Citation: Emru E, Abegaz S, Getu A, Mengistu A, Fantahun T (2020). Phenotypic characterization of genetic resources of indigenous cattle in West Gondar zone of  
Ethiopia. Online J. Anim. Feed Res., 10(5): 240-248.  
population in the zone. To know the distribution of cattle genetic resources and establish the sampling frame, rapid  
preliminary survey and discussions were held with zonal, district and rural development agents of livestock experts. Based  
on the information, six representative sites were purposively selected. Sampling frame, from each mature age cattle  
breed types n=150 (30 males and 120 females) were randomly selected for administration of morphological and  
biometrical measurements (FAO, 2012). Therefore, a total of 180 male and 720 female cattle were randomly selected for  
phenotypic characterization.  
Data types  
Twenty categorical traits were recorded and documented from live adult cattle by visual observation and nine  
quantitative traits were considered and measured using mark off measuring tape in cm with a precision of 0.5 from cattle  
with wear off one and above pair of permanent teeth (FAO, 2012).  
Data analysis  
Univarite analysis. General linear model procedures (PROC GLM) were employed for quantitative variables to detect  
statistical differences among sample cattle population. The model was developed to evaluate the linear body  
measurements with the fixed effect of sex and sites.  
Yjk = µ+ Sj+Lk +ejk  
Yjk: Linear body measurements in each the jth sex and kth location; µ: Overall mean, for both sexes separately; Sj: the  
effect of jth sex (j: 1=male, 2= female); Lk: the effect of kth location (k: 1=Dubaba, 2=Mirt Gelegu, 3=G.Birshign, 4=Lominat  
Forgena, 5=Abrajira, 6=Gilal Wuha); ejk: residual random error associated with jkth observation.  
Multivariate analysis  
Quantitative variables from male and female animals were separately subjected to discriminate analysis (PROC  
DISCRIM) to classify the sampled populations into homogenous/distinct breeds as a breed in their home areas. Procedure  
of canonical discriminate analysis (PROC CANDISC) was used to determine the existence of population level phenotypic  
differences among the sample cattle populations/the study sites. The step wise discriminate analysis procedure (PROC  
STEP DISC) was used and run to rank the variables by their discriminating power. Correspondence analyses were  
considered for association of different categorical variables for each study sites/cattle population. Finally, to classify the  
sampled cattle population cluster analysis were carried out by using quantitative variables and then classification trees  
were constructed based on results of the analysis and showed groups of the identified breed types.  
RESULT AND DISCUSSION  
Univarite analysis  
Quantitative Variation for male population. Almost all continuous variables were highly significant (p<0.0001) and  
affected by site except ear length (p<0.99; Table 1). This might be due to the study areas were occupied by different breed  
types with varied quantitative traits. The smallest and highest coefficient of determination (R2) was calculated for ear  
length and for heart girth, respectively. Whereas, for the coefficient of variation (CV) was heart girth and horn length,  
respectively. The least square means comparison among the study sites revealed that male population from Gilal Wuha,  
Lominat Forgena and Mirt Gelegu had the largest values than the remaining sites for most variables. While, the lower  
least square mean values were obtained from the remaining three sites (Dubaba, Gendawuha Birshign and Abrajira).  
Quantitative variation for female population. Like male population except ear length all sampled continuous  
variables were highly significant (p<0.0001) for sample sites of female cattle population (Table 2). The coefficients of  
variation ranged from 2.39% for heart girth to 34.9% for horn length. Traits which had high coefficient values were  
possible for source of variation in the population. The highest least square mean values for most measurable traits in  
female sampled population were observed in Gilal Wuha, Lominat Forgena and Mirt Gelegu sites. This indicated that the  
cattle type from these sites had phenotypic superiority than the remaining site cattle types. This agrees with Monastery  
and Begait cattle type documented by Zewdu (2004); Mulugeta (2015), respectively. Conversely, the lowest least square  
mean values were recorded from Dubaba, Gendawuha Birshign and Abrajira. These three sites had almost similar  
measurement values. This might be due to their continual interbreeding or same phenotypic features. These findings are  
similar with Zewdu (2004), Fasil (2006); Tadesse (2015) who reported for North Gondar lowland, Gojjam highland and  
Horro cattle types, respectively.  
Multivariate analysis  
Discriminate analysis. The correct classification percentages for male population were ranged from 46.67% to  
93.33% for site 1 (Dubaba) and site 2 (Mirt Gelegu), respectively. The remaining reclassification values of Dubaba were  
explained in Gendawuha Birshign (16.67%) and Abrajira (36.67%) sites. This indicated that males from Dubaba were  
shared high number of cross classification hit rates with Gendawha Birshign and Abrajira sites. Among the study sites  
male cattle population from Mirt Gelegu scored the highest classification percentages (93.33%). This indicated that male  
cattle from Mirt Gelegu were more heterogeneous and distinct from other site population. Similarly, male cattle  
241  
Citation: Emru E, Abegaz S, Getu A, Mengistu A, Fantahun T (2020). Phenotypic characterization of genetic resources of indigenous cattle in West Gondar zone of  
Ethiopia. Online J. Anim. Feed Res., 10(5): 240-248.  
population in Lominat Forgena had correct classification of 76.67% in their sites and the incorrect classification (23.33%)  
was explained in Gilal Wuha location. This revealed that males from these sites had common characteristics. The overall  
correct and incorrect classification percentages of male populations in all the study sites were 75% and 25%, respectively.  
This correct hit rate classification higher than (Zewdu, 2004) for north Gondar cattle (73.8%) but lower (Tadesse, 2005) for  
Horro cattle (82.72%) and (Fasil, 2006) for Gojjam highland cattle (80.85%), respectively. Similarly, the correct  
classification percentages of female sampled population for all sites were ranged from Gendawuha Birshign (42.5%) to  
Mirt Gelegu (98.33%) sites. The remaining classification percentages of Gendawuha Birshign sites were incorrectly  
classified in Dubaba (23.33%), Abrajira (33.33%) sites. Correspondingly, the correct and incorrect classification values of  
female population from Lominat Forgena were 47.5% and 37.5%, respectively. This incorrect classification percentage  
was explained in Gilal Wuha. This indicated that the two sites had similar phenotypic features. The overall correct  
classification hit rates for female sample population were 60%. The overall error count estimation in male sample  
population was better than female population (as the average hit rate was 75% than 60%).  
Canonical discriminate analysis. It was performed by CANDISC procedures separately for male and female sample  
population. As per Table 5, all mahalanobis distances obtained from the sites for male population were highly significant  
(p<0.0001). Therefore, male population from each site has their own measurable differences. The nearest distances were  
observed in Abrajira and Dubaba sites with the value of 0.76185. This might be due to the two sites had phenotypically  
similar male cattle population. Whereas, the longest distances (37.88) was observed between Gendawuha Birshign and  
Mirt Gelegu sites. Therefore, these two sites had their own distinct and different male cattle types. In case of female  
sample population, the Mahalanobis distance between sites was slightly lower than that of male population. Mahalanobis  
distances obtained for female population was significant for all sites. The nearest distance was observed in between  
Gendawuha Birshign and Dubaba followed by Abrajira and Gendawuha Birshign with the values of 0.35833 and 0.51030,  
respectively. The largest distance was observed between site 3 (Gendawuha Birshign) and site 2 (Mirt Gelegu) with the  
value of 29.38. The narrower and wider differences were resulted from phenotypic similarities and disparities between the  
sample populations.  
Stepwise discriminate analysis. All 9 continuous variables for both sexes were separately subjected to the STEPDISC  
procedure of (SAS, 9.4) and all 9 variables for males and 8 variables for females were identified as best discriminating  
variables (Table 7). Variables used for discriminating male breed types were ordered based on their discriminating powers  
namely cannon bone length, horn length, cannon bone circumferences and body length. Similarly, top variables, which  
discriminate female population, were cannon bone length, horn length, mouth circumferences, body length, ear length,  
and cannon bone circumferences. Whereas, height at wither was weak for separating female sample population and was  
removed.  
Correspondence analysis for qualitative variables. Twenty different categorical variables for all the study sites were  
considered for correspondence analysis (Figure 1). Two dimensions were observed for the clear relationships of the traits  
with study sites. Categorical variable lies on the middle line were predominantly found in all the population and  
represented low variation among the population. Small hump size, and lateral ear orientation in (sites 1 and 2) and, erect  
horn shape, convex facial profile, medium hump size and medium body condition both in site 3, 5 and site 4, 6 had very  
close to the middle line. And, for all population large tail length, medium body condition score, sloppy rump profile, short  
and curved horn shape and black white color variables represented very low variations. Whereas, categorical variables far  
from the middle line were distinguished the 6 studied populations namely coat color type, navel flap, dewlap width, udder  
size and teat length in one hand and the genetic groups were in the other hands.  
Cluster analysis. Cluster analysis is a multivariate technique used to group individuals based on common  
characteristics in to homogeneous and distinct groups (Peter, 1997). Due to this; the population in one cluster shared  
certain common characters more than the population in other cluster. According to cluster analysis 3 similar clusters were  
formed for both sexes in figure 2. Hence, the first cluster consisted of sample population of site 2 (Mirt Gelegu) which,  
represent Fellata cattle type, came out distinctly far from the rest group breed types in both cases. The second cluster  
contained three sites namely; site 1 (Dubaba), site 3 (Gendawuha Birshign) and site 5 (Abrajira). Moreover, the cattle type  
from site 4 (Lominat Forgena) and site 6 (Gilal Wuha) grouped under the third clusters.  
Cluster 1: Fellata cattle type. This cattle type is unique in many aspects from the rest of the population. They are  
aggressive in their temperament and large in body size. Their coat colour pattern is plain (76.0%) and patchy (14.7%) and  
spotted (9.3%). The hair types were shiny (69.3%) with dull (26.0%) and smooth (9.3%). Most of the animals have  
exceptionally longer horns (50.95 cm in females and 47.06 cm in males) with white in colour and lyre (54%), curved  
(26.7%) and straight (19.3%) in its shape. Mostly flat (58%) facial profiles were observed in both sexes and rarely concave  
with thin neck in females and regularly convex in males. Ear is medium to big in size with mainly straight and pendulous  
shapes. Humps and dewlaps are well developed in males with good height at wither but small humps with erected shapes  
and almost non dewlaps in females (their unique features). Body condition scoring of this cattle was medium (78.7%),  
lean (16.0%) and fat (5.3%) in both sexes. Tail is medium to long in females and long with bushy ends in males; important  
for prevention of wild flies. Cows have longer navel length, large udder and teat size of all the breed types in the study  
location. These characteristics were considered for selection criteria in the study location. Similarly, perpetual sheath and  
testicular lengths are very long in males. These traits were also highly considered in the communities for selection  
criteria’s of breeding bull. These cattle types mainly serve for the community through reproduction, milk production and  
242  
Citation: Emru E, Abegaz S, Getu A, Mengistu A, Fantahun T (2020). Phenotypic characterization of genetic resources of indigenous cattle in West Gondar zone of  
Ethiopia. Online J. Anim. Feed Res., 10(5): 240-248.  
for income generation, and draft power. According to key informants; this cattle type is believed to be found only in Quara  
district of specific location.  
Cluster 2: Qocherie /Korrer cattle type. These are medium body size cattle types with good temperament. Their coat  
colors are dominantly plain of red, white, black, grey and patchy of black brown, with a very small proportion of spotted of  
red white, white and red sora pattern and types, respectively. Their facial profile is dominantly concave in females and  
convex in males with moderate ear length of straight and slightly pendulous in shapes and forward, lateral in orientation.  
In both sexes, horns are medium to large in size; straight, curved in shapes with forward and upward in orientation. Hump  
and dewlap sizes are relatively large in males with moderate heart girth and small to medium size in females. They have  
small to medium length of navel flap with medium to large udder and teat size with good taste of milk. Perpetual sheath  
and testicular circumferences are medium to large in males. Tail is dominantly medium to long in its length in females  
and long (below hocks) in males. As group discussants revealed that main attributes of these cattle types are milk  
production, reproduction and income purposes. Based on the above characteristics these dominant Qocherie cattle types  
are grouped under Small East African Zebu cattle types.  
Cluster 3: Ruttana/Miramir cattle type. They are huge in body size when compared with other cattle types and able  
to communicate with language. These cattle types are almost similar with the characteristics of large East African Zebu  
and not documented in literature as Rutana/Miramir cattle in the country. They are aggressive in temper but it is desired  
by their owners (cannot be stolen by theft). Their coat color pattern is spotted and patchy composed of white- black, black-  
white and gray type; rarely plain of black, white and grey. Mostly they have shiny, dull and the rest smooth hair types.  
Horns are medium to large in both sexes with straight, curved and lyre shapes and some cattle also have no horns.  
Females’ have predominately flat and slightly concave facial profile and male have convex profiles. Ear is medium to large  
in size and mainly straight shapes and they are good in body conformation and scored mainly medium and rarely fat  
condition with droopy, sloppy and flat rumps. Hump sizes are small to medium in females and well developed in males  
with commonly erected and droopy shapes with cervico-thoracic in its position. Similarly, dewlap sizes are large in males  
but very small in females. These cattle types are known with longest sheath and testicular circumferences. Medium to  
large udder and teat size and long navel flaps. Majorities have long tail length and in small proportion has medium  
lengths. Milk, reproduction, income generation, traction power and beef are among the most important of functions of  
this cattle type. According to key informants Rutana-Miramir cattle types are found only in specific location of Metema  
and West Armachiho districts border to Sudan, respectively. Except body size (little big in Miramir), name of cattle type  
and their location, all the rest characters are almost similar in phenotype for these cattle type and grouped under one  
cluster. As per the above, characteristics indicated that these cattle types are a unique.  
Table 1 - Least square means and pair wise comparisons of body measurements for males by site (cm)  
Variables  
Dubaba  
18.81b  
22.12a  
M.G  
47.06a  
22.02a  
G.B  
16.41b  
20.99a  
L.F  
21.28b  
21.75a  
Abrajira  
17.48b  
22.17a  
G.Wuha  
22.51b  
22.34a  
R2  
CV  
Site  
Horn length  
Ear length  
64.32  
40.48  
33.3  
5.52  
p<.0001  
0.999  
Body length  
Height W.  
Canon BL  
Canon BC  
Mouth C  
119.41b  
113.38b  
16.64b  
16.64b  
38.63b  
35.71b  
151.98b  
136.41a  
132.53a  
24.59a  
22.26a  
39.89ab  
41.16a  
117.63b  
110.19b  
16.17b  
17.42b  
38.64b  
36.70b  
148.86b  
138.37a  
135.23a  
23.47a  
22.64a  
39.85b  
41.51a  
172.94a  
117.84b  
114.26b  
16.83b  
16.19b  
38.71b  
36.56b  
152.35b  
138.15a  
136.49a  
24.53a  
23.69a  
41.42a  
42.20a  
170.32a  
83.70  
80.89  
79.98  
77.09  
55.78  
70.16  
85.49  
3.97  
5.05  
9.88  
9.17  
5.04  
5.46  
3.28  
p<.0001  
p<.0001  
p<.0001  
p<.0001  
p<.0001  
p<.0001  
p<.0001  
Pelvic width  
Heart girth  
170.48a  
a.b.c.e.f Means with the same superscript letter on the same row are not significantly different, R2= Coefficient of determination, CV= Coefficient  
of Variation; M.G= Mirt gelegu, G.B=Gendawuha Birshign and L.F=Lominat forgena.  
Table 2 - Least square means and pair wise comparisons of body measurements for females by site (cm)  
Variables  
Dubaba  
M.G  
G.B  
L.F  
Abrajira  
G.wuha  
R2  
CV  
Site  
Horn length  
Ear length  
Body length  
Wither Height  
Canon BL  
Canon BC  
Mouth C.  
pelvic width  
20.63b  
21.23a  
116.63b  
110.83b  
17.07c  
16.46b  
36.35ab  
35.63b  
148.61d  
50.95a  
21.03a  
129.79a  
122.65a  
22.26a  
20.41a  
34.51c  
38.49a  
152.32c  
20.95b  
21.51a  
116.65b  
110.32b  
16.47c  
16.03bc  
36.52b  
36.15b  
147.57d  
19.75b  
21.22a  
127.90a  
121.33a  
21.31b  
20.64a  
36.16b  
38.98a  
155.03b  
19.92b  
21.13a  
114.82b  
108.81b  
16.32c  
15.36c  
35.71b  
36.16b  
147.57d  
22.97b  
21.56a  
130.49a  
124.17a  
22.13ab  
21.36a  
36.78a  
39.42a  
157.29a  
62.92  
42.02  
74.21  
68.48  
78.71  
76.20  
44.31  
64.43  
79.74  
34.9  
6.22  
4.03  
4.85  
8.00  
8.47  
4.97  
5.65  
2.39  
p<.0001  
0.999  
p<.0001  
p<.0001  
p<.0001  
p<.0001  
p<.0001  
p<.0001  
p<.0001  
Heart girth  
a.b.c.d.e.f  
Means with the same letter on the same row are not significantly different; R2= Coefficient of determination, CV=Coefficient of  
Variation;M.G= Mirt gelegu,G.B=Gendawuha Birshign and L.Forgena=Lominat Forgena.  
243  
Citation: Emru E, Abegaz S, Getu A, Mengistu A, Fantahun T (2020). Phenotypic characterization of genetic resources of indigenous cattle in West Gondar zone of  
Ethiopia. Online J. Anim. Feed Res., 10(5): 240-248.  
Table 3 - Number of observation and percentages (in bracket) for male sample population using discriminant  
analysis in each study sites  
Site  
Dubaba  
M.Gelegu  
G.Birshig  
L.Fogena  
Abrajira  
G.Wuha  
Total  
Dubaba  
M.G  
G.B  
14(46.67)  
0
5(16.67)  
0
1(3.33)  
0
11(36.67)  
0
1(3.33)  
0
30(100)  
30(100)  
30(100)  
30(100)  
30(100)  
30(100)  
25(100)  
0
2(6.67)  
0
4(13.33)  
0
28(93.33)  
0
24(80.00)  
0
2(6.67)  
0
0
4(13.33)  
0
24(80.00)  
0
0
0
0
0
L.F  
23(76.67)  
7(23.33)  
Abrajira  
G.Wuha  
*TECE  
0
0
8(26.67)  
0.2333  
22(73.33)  
0.2667  
0.5333  
0.0667  
0.2000  
0.2000  
M.G=Mirt Gelegu, G.B=Gendawuha Birshign, L.F=Lominat Forgena, G.W=Gilal Wuha and*TECE=total error count estimate.  
Table 4 - Number of observation and percentages (in bracket) for female sample population using discriminate  
analysis in each study sites  
Sites  
Dubaba  
M.Gelegu  
G.Birshign  
L.Fogena  
Abrajira  
G.Wuha  
Total  
Dubaba  
M.G  
G.B  
L.F  
Abrajira  
56(46.67)  
1(0.83)  
28(23.33)  
12(10.00)  
29(24.17)  
0
118(98.33)  
1(0.83)  
1(0.83)  
0
33(27.5)  
0
51(42.50)  
3(2.50)  
24(20.00)  
3(2.5)  
1(0.83)  
0
57(47.50)  
1(0.83)  
28(23.33)  
0
40(33.33)  
2(1.67)  
66(55.00)  
0
0
120(100)  
120(100)  
120(100)  
120(100)  
120(100)  
0
45(37.50)  
0
G.Wuha  
*TECE  
1(0.83)  
0.5333  
2(1.67)  
0.0167  
1(0.83)  
0.5750  
32(26.67)  
0.5250  
0
84(70.00)  
0.3000  
120(100)  
40(100)  
0.4500  
M.G=Mirt Gelegu, G.B=Gendawuha Birshign, L.F=Lominat Forgena, G.W=Gilal Wuha and*TECE=total error count estimate.  
Table 5 - Mahalanobis distances between sites for male sample population  
Sites  
Dubaba  
M.Gelegu  
G.Bishign  
L.Forgena  
Abrajira  
G.Wuha  
Dubaba  
***  
M.Gelegu  
G.Bishign  
34.52597  
2.77802  
***  
37.88397  
***  
L.forgena  
Abrajira  
G.Wuha  
31.35831  
0.76185  
30.62582  
14.73973  
35.01792  
14.68674  
29.23378  
4.28409  
27.05451  
***  
31.60054  
2.28319  
***  
30.97339  
***  
***=p<.0001, It is correlation type/mirror reflection of each other that is why I used semi diagonal matrix.  
Table 6 - Mahalanobis distances between sites for female sample population  
Sites  
Dubaba  
M.Gelegu  
G.Bishign  
L.forgena  
Abrajira  
G.Wuha  
Dubaba  
***  
M.Gelegu  
25.76750  
***  
G.Bishign  
L.forgena  
Abrajira  
0.35833  
11.26041  
0.92079  
14.53294  
29.37554  
15.30541  
28.48766  
14.26129  
***  
14.40911  
0.51030  
18.27180  
***  
14.51182  
0.58177  
***  
G.Wuha  
18.33785  
***  
***=p<.0001  
Table 7 - Stepwise selection summary table for male and female population  
Steps in discriminating  
power  
Entered  
Traits  
Partial  
R2  
Wilks’  
Lambda  
Pr<  
Lambda  
Average Squared  
Canonical Correlation  
F-statistics  
Pr > F  
Pr>ASCC  
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
CBL  
HL  
0.763  
0.488  
112.17  
32.93  
<.0001  
<.0001  
0.237  
0.121  
<.0001  
<.0001  
0.153  
0.244  
<.0001  
<.0001  
CBC  
BL  
EL  
HW  
HG  
PW  
MC  
CBL  
HL  
MC  
BL  
EL  
CBC  
PW  
HG  
0.329  
0.289  
0.264  
0.121  
0.102  
0.099  
0.082  
0.71  
0.52  
0.25  
0.12  
0.099  
0.093  
0.048  
0.016  
16.87  
13.96  
12.17  
4.67  
3.81  
3.71  
<.0001  
<.0001  
<.0001  
0.0005  
0.0027  
0.0033  
0.0138  
<.0001  
<.0001  
<.0001  
<.0001  
<.0001  
<.0001  
<.0001  
0.0402  
0.081  
0.058  
0.043  
0.037  
0.034  
0.030  
0.028  
0.299  
0.139  
0.105  
0.092  
0.083  
0.075  
0.071  
0.070  
<.0001  
<.0001  
<.0001  
<.0001  
<.0001  
<.0001  
<.0001  
<.0001  
<.0001  
<.0001  
<.0001  
<.0001  
<.0001  
<.0001  
<.0001  
0.298  
0.323  
0.336  
0.349  
0.367  
0.383  
0.389  
0.142  
0.245  
0.266  
0.274  
0.279  
0.289  
0.298  
0.299  
<.0001  
<.0001  
<.0001  
<.0001  
<.0001  
<.0001  
<.0001  
<.0001  
<.0001  
<.0001  
<.0001  
<.0001  
<.0001  
<.0001  
<.0001  
Male  
population  
2.96  
349.9  
153.87  
46.72  
19.94  
15.73  
14.45  
7.12  
Female  
population  
2.34  
The P-values for both Wilks’ Lambda and ASCC were highly significant (P<0.0001) for both sexes, HL= horn length, EL= ear length, BL=body length, height at  
wither, CBL=canon bon length, CBC=canon bon circumference, MC=mouth circumference, PW=pelvic width and HG= heart girth  
244  
Citation: Emru E, Abegaz S, Getu A, Mengistu A, Fantahun T (2020). Phenotypic characterization of genetic resources of indigenous cattle in West Gondar zone of  
Ethiopia. Online J. Anim. Feed Res., 10(5): 240-248.  
Figure 2 - Cluster trees for cattle population by study  
site.  
Figure 1- Associations among qualitative variables  
revealed by multiple correspondence analyses.  
Figure 3 - Fellata cattle type.  
Figure 4 - Breeding female to the left and breeding male to the right in Fellata cattle.  
245  
Citation: Emru E, Abegaz S, Getu A, Mengistu A, Fantahun T (2020). Phenotypic characterization of genetic resources of indigenous cattle in West Gondar zone of  
Ethiopia. Online J. Anim. Feed Res., 10(5): 240-248.  
Figure 5 - Qocherie cattle type.  
Figure 6 - Breeding female to the left and breeding male to the right in Qocherie cattle.  
Figure 7 - Rutana or Miramir cattle type.  
246  
Citation: Emru E, Abegaz S, Getu A, Mengistu A, Fantahun T (2020). Phenotypic characterization of genetic resources of indigenous cattle in West Gondar zone of  
Ethiopia. Online J. Anim. Feed Res., 10(5): 240-248.  
Figure 8 - Breeding female to the left from Rutana and right from Miramir.  
Figure 9 - Breeding male to the left from Rutana and right from Miramir.  
CONCLUSION  
The key informant and focus group discussions are found to be a useful individual to identify distinct animal genetic  
resources of Qocherie/Korer, Fellata, Qocherie/Habesha, Rutana, Qocherie/Gobie and Miramir from the six sites of West  
Gondar zone. Phenotypically Fellata, Rutana and Miramir cattle had longer and larger body length, wither height, heart  
girth and pelvic width than Qocheire/korer/Gobie cattle types. In addition, characterization of the phenotypic diversity of  
cattle based on their morphologies, performances with univariate and multivariate analysis has given the powerful  
evidences on the general uniqueness of the three traditional cattle breed types (Qocherie/Korer/Gobie, Fellata and  
Rutana/Miramir).  
Recommendation  
The country, Amhara region and university of Gondar farm should try to introducing; Fellata and Rutana/Miramir  
cattle breed to on station characterization for breed improvement programs. Further, confirmatory and exploratory study  
should be employed other parts of Ethiopia to investigate the remaining cattle in the country. In-depth molecular  
characterization using genetic markers should be under taken to confirm the level of genetic variations and relationships  
among the identified and other indigenous cattle types in the country.  
DECLARATIONS  
Corresponding Author  
E-mail: bele23@gmail.com  
Authors’ Contribution  
All authors had similar role in writing and conducting of study.  
Conflict of interests  
The authors have not declared any conflict of interests.  
247  
Citation: Emru E, Abegaz S, Getu A, Mengistu A, Fantahun T (2020). Phenotypic characterization of genetic resources of indigenous cattle in West Gondar zone of  
Ethiopia. Online J. Anim. Feed Res., 10(5): 240-248.  
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