TITLE:
Phenotypic Variability within Dwarf Goat (Capra hircus Schaller, 1977) Population in Man Department of Western Côte D’Ivoire
AUTHORS:
Yann Armel Akoto Yao, Brahima Soro, André Coulibaly, Herbert Michael Kpahé Kanh, Didier Paulin Sokouri, Simon-Pierre Assanvo N’Guetta
KEYWORDS:
Dwarf Goat, Phenotype, Man, Characterization
JOURNAL NAME:
Natural Science,
Vol.17 No.10,
October
29,
2025
ABSTRACT: The dwarf goat, the only local goat breed, has been neglected for long time in Côte d’Ivoire. No national genetic or zootechnical data exists on dwarf goats. Improving the productivity of this breed requires first characterizing its phenotype and zootechnical traits. This study aimed at phenotypically characterize’s dwarfs in the Man department. The study was conducted in the rural and urban areas of the Man department. It was performed on 90 goats, including six males and 84 females. The collected data were recorded in a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet and then analyzed using R-3.6.2 software. Statistical tests included multivariate analysis of variance, t-tests, and principal component analysis. Statistical analyses showed that sexual dimorphism was not very evident in the human anatomy. The goat breed studied is multicolored. The frequency of variegation is high, resulting in a significant proportion of piebald coats. All animals of both sexes have curved horns. Not all individuals of both sexes have dewlaps. The coat is mostly short, and the muzzles are almost straight. The ears are all erect and horizontal.