MORPHOMETRIC MEASUREMENTS AND THEIR CORRELATIONS IN THE MURRAH BUFFALOES RAISED IN MOJUÍ DOS CAMPOS, PARÁ

Abstract

The aim of this work was to analyze the morphometric aspects and their correlations in buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) of the Murrah breed in the period of three months in the municipality of Mojuí dos Campos, state of Pará. Twenty-nine females with a mean age of 36 months and 7 males with a mean age of 18 months were evaluated, measuring body weight, chest circumference (PT), barrel perimeter (PB), body length (CC), height of withers (AC) and height of croup (AG). The statistic of the tabulated data was according to the analysis of variance and the means were compared by the SNK Proc. GLM. All the characteristics analyzed showed a significant difference between males and females, and females showed superior results. This result was attributed to the age difference, since the males were young animals, with an average age of 18 months, while the females under study had a mean age of 36 months. Positive correlations were observed in all analyzed variables. The morphometric characteristics that had the greatest correlation with the weight were the perimeter of the barrel (r= 0,95) and the thoracic perimeter (r= 0,87), being these the best measures to predict the live weight. The saddle width (r= 0,49) was the measure with the lowest correlation.KEYWORDS: Biometry, Body measurements, Genetic improvement.