Morphometric analysis of the casco de mula creole pig in the Colombian Orinoquia

Abstract

In the Colombian Orinoquia, the casco de mula creole pig is a zoogenetic resource of interest for backyard production systems and rural food security; however, its quanti­tative morphometric characterization remains limited. The objective was to determine the quantitative morphostructural traits of the population conserved in the AGROSAVIA animal germplasm bank. Eighty-five adult animals (26 females and 59 males) were evaluated, recording seven head variables, ten body variables and seven zoometric indices. Descriptive statistics, the Kolmogorov-Smirnov normality test, oneway analysis of variance to compare sexes, and Student’s t test for indices were performed. Head variables showed low variability, with sex differences in face length, snout width, interorbital distance, ear length and ear width (P<0.05). In body measurements, animals were higher at the rump than at the withers, and sex differences were observed for body weight, height at the withers, thoracic perimeter, and fore- and hind-limb cannon perimeter (P<0.05). The indices described a mesocephalic population (cephalic index=49.12), with meat aptitude and a longilineal tendency (body index=88.59), a convexilinear pelvis (pelvic index=59.20), a tendency toward lean meat production (relative thoracic depth index=79.51), and adequate skeletal harmony (metacarpothoracic index=22.38). In conclusion, the casco de mula pig shows sexual dimorphism and a morphometric pattern consistent with other Latin American creole pigs, providing useful information for conservation, breed typification, and selection in management programs.