Phenotypic characterization of the Rembi sheep of Algeria

Abstract

The Algerian sheep stock remains little known, despite its high economic value and the very precious qualities of the local breeds which show exceptional adaptation under extreme environmental conditions. The phenotypic variability of Rembi, an endangered Algerian breed, was studied by multivariate discriminant analysis. Sampling took into account the diversity of production environments in the country according to FAO recommendations. In total 722 females and 60 males were phenotyped across a wide area including the cradle of the breed, using 21 quantitative and 12 qualitative variables. The results show strong phenotypic homogeneity, thus suggesting intrabreed homogeneity at the genetic level, to be confirmed by molecular analysis. Indeed, there was no evidence of a phenotypic structure when considering the farm status (private/State-owned), the climate zone (arid/semi-arid/subhumid), herd mobility (sedentary/semi-sedentary/transhumant) or the variety. Only the region factor discriminated subgroups within the breed. Trade, organized around major markets, promotes the flow of individuals between regions and seems responsible for the single phenotypic model. These results finely characterized the Rembi breed for the first time. Morphological indices place it in particular among meat breeds. This study is the first step toward the implementation of conservation programs for this breed, highly threatened by crosses with the Ouled-Djellal, the dominant Algerian breed.