local chicken; morpho-biometrics; phenotype; plumage; West Africa
Abstract :
[en] This review analyzes the processes of phenotypic and morpho-biometric characterization of West African local chicken. Data were collected on a set of 44 articles, and other reference documents were used to analyze and discuss the data collected. Existing studies on the phenotypic and molecular characterization of local chicken populations in West Africa indicate the presence of a wide variety of plumage colors and conformations, and intra-population genetic diversity. However, none of these studies have been able to identify the existence of a differentiated subpopulation that can be assimilated into a distinct race. The conclusions of this studies are not sufficient to ensure the non-existence of “race” in West Africa because many of these studies focus only on the phenotypic aspect, while molecular characterization makes it possible to identify differentiated populations with certainty. Additionally, the populations studied are often small in size, though remaining within the FAO recommendation standards. The spatial distribution used to compare the subpopulations was based on agroecological zones with strong interconnections to and shared with West African human populations, to the detriment of socio-cultural realities. In order to be more effective and conclusive, characterization work could consider the spatial distance of subpopulations in a comparison and the levels of exchange between the human communities from which these chicken subpopulations originate.
Disciplines :
Animal production & animal husbandry
Author, co-author :
Guisso Taffa, Adamou ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire > stage conv. Erasmus en médecine vétérinaire ; Animal Production Department, Agronomy Faculty, Abdou Moumouni University of Niamey, Niamey, Niger
Moula, Nassim ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département des sciences biomédicales et précliniques > Méthodes expérimentales des animaux de laboratoire et éthique en expérimentation animale
Issa, Salissou; Animal Production Department, National Institute for Agronomic Research of Niger, Niamey, Niger
Mahamadou, Chaibou; Animal Production Department, Agronomy Faculty, Abdou Moumouni University of Niamey, Niamey, Niger
Detilleux, Johann ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département de gestion vétérinaire des Ressources Animales (DRA)
Language :
English
Title :
Phenotypic Characterization of Local Chickens in West Africa: Systematic Review