Morphometric Characterization of the Lidia Cattle Breed

SIMPLE SUMMARY: The Lidia breed has great economic and social importance and is one of the most interesting breeds worldwide from a genetic point of view. The economic, social, and genetic impact has not been reflected in zootechnical studies carried out on it because the difficulty of handling and approaching of this type of animal makes measurement of live individuals almost impossible. For this reason, the first morphological characterization of Lidia breed was carried out using photogrammetry. This technology facilitates measurements of animals at a distance from 3-dimensional photographs. In the present work, 264 adult individuals (males and females) were studied to determine 20 morphological measurements, 5 zootechnical indexes, and individual phaneroptic information. The results show a considerable internal variability, sexual dimorphism, and the zoomometric differentiation of various genetic lines, thus improving value and complexity of this breed. ABSTRACT: Morphometric studies in Lidia cattle are scarce due to the challenges of handling and approaching this breed of cattle. For this reason, the first morphological characterization of the Lidia breed was carried out using photogrammetry. In the present work, 264 adult individuals (184 males and 80 females), belonging to 21 different herds, were studied. A total of 20 morphological measurements and five indexes were determined in every individual. There were many positive correlations between the measures, giving the model great morphostructural harmony. Considerable internal variability of the studied parameters was observed. This breed reflected significant sexually dimorphic features and internal morphological differences between the different genetic lines of the breed. Lidia cattle are small and mostly have a sub-concave profile (58.4% males and 69.7% females). The male proportionality indexes and the relative depth of the thorax indicated great muscular development of the anterior third and high thoracic capacity. The phaneroptic information describes a mostly black animal with black mucous and hooves and an outstanding development of the dewlaps and the tail in the males.