Acomparative osteometric evaluation of some cranial indices ofclinical significance in goats (Capra hircus) from the middlebeltregions of Nigeria

BACKGROUND:There is no comprehension data on anatomical indices of Nigerian goats. OBJECTIVES: To show osteometric values of some cranial indices in Nigerian goats. METHODS: Sixty (60) goat skulls that were found around Makurdi, Kwande, Katsina-ala and the neighbouring Adamawa state of Nigeria,were studied by investigating the 30 craniometric values. RESULTS: The measured distance from the facial tuberosity to the infraorbital foramen was 2.33±0.29 Cm and 1.80±0.14 Cm for females and males, respectively. In addition, the distance from the medial canthus to the supraorbital foramen was 27±0.31 Cm for females and 2.83±0.24 Cm for males; from the lateral alveolar root to the mental foramen was 2.05±0.07 Cm for females and 5.10±7.28 Cm for males; and from the mandibular foramen to the ventral border of mandible was 5.90±0.14 Cm for females and 5.48±0.43 Cm for males. CONCLUSIONS: Thisbreed of goat might be a different phenotype of the breeds that is available in Nigeria

Keywords:

skullmorphometry , goat breeds , craniofacialindices , phenotype