Multifactorial Analyses of Morphological Traits of Extensively Reared Helmeted Guinea Fowls Numidia meleagris in Kaduna and Katsina States of Nigeria

Abstract

To assess the magnitude of genetic diversity and interdependence of morphological traits in varieties of helmeted guinea fowl, an experiment was conducted using a total of 2005 sexually matured randomly-selected birds. Data was collected on some morphological traits from selected locations in Kaduna and Katsina states using a cross-sectional design and were analyzed using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) procedure and cluster analysis. The PCA showed that the first two principal components accounted for 53.10% of the total variation. Feather, ear lobe and beak colours, age, body and neck lengths were found to be responsible for most of the variations among populations of helmeted guinea fowl. Body, shank and neck lengths, helmet height and wing span were found to have a direct and positive relationship with body weight, while feather, breast and beak colours had a negative relationship. Cluster analysis revealed that the Ash variety was more closely related to the Pearl Black variety while Pearl Ash variety was more similar to the White. The Black variety was found to be more distinct from all the other four varieties. Two main components accounted for variation in helmeted guinea fowl population in Kaduna and Katsina States. Furthermore, since variation in body weight was associated with body, shank and neck lengths, wing spans, helmet height and feather colour (varieties), these characters could be useful at the genomic level or as markers for improving body weight.