Morphometry of creole donkey in the Zozutla region, Puebla, Mexico

Abstract

In Mexico, the donkey is a species with economic importance in rural areas as it is used as a means of transport and cargo, being an indispensable aid to the marginalized farmer, who lives in remote and poorly communicated regions. The objective of this research was to characterize the morphometry of the Creole donkey of the Zozutla region, Puebla. Mexico. 25 female asses and 25 male asses, from 2 to 3 years old, were studied. Each of the study animals, correctly plumbed and accessed by their left flank, were taken their body measurements or zoometric variables of quantitative nature, by means of the measuring tape and the pelvimeter; cross elevation (AC), back elevation (AD), rump elevation (AG), pelvis elevation (AP), palomillas elevation (APa), tail birth elevation (ANC), longitudinal diameter (DL), sternal back diameter (DDE ), diameter between encounters  (DEE),  bicostal  diameter  (DB),  rump  width  (AnG),  rump  length  (LG),  thoracic perimeter (PT), knee perimeter (PR), cane perimeter (PC), girth perimeter (PM) , quarter perimeter (PCu), crown perimeter (PCo), hock perimeter (PCor), ear length (LO), head length (LC), head width (ACa), head depth (PCa), face length (LCa) and width skull (ACr). The results obtained from the 26 biometric measurement variables provided the important data to differentiate female creole donkeys  from  males,  were  grouped  into  specific sets  based  on  the study variables,  providing functional aptitudes in  animals. The results showed that the variables show highly significant differences (P <.0001) in the measurements of the study animals. In this investigation the Creole animals were small in size, which presented poor feeding and no sanitary management of the animals.