Agricultural Science Digest
SCOPUS
  • Year: 2024
  • Volume: 44
  • Issue: 6

Craniometric and morphometric characterization of ouled djellal algerian white arab sheep

  • Author:
  • Boukerrou Maya1,*, Ridouh Rania1, Djeghar Alaa Eddine1, Chaabi Aimene Zakaria1, Tekkouk-Zemmouchi Faiza1, Babelhadj Baaissa2,3, Evin Allowen4, Guintard Claude5
  • Total Page Count: 10
  • Page Number: 1154 to 1163

1Gestion Sante et Productions Animales Research Laboratory, Institut des Sciences Veterinaires El-Khroub, Universite Constantine 1 Freres Mentouri, Constantine, 25000, Algeria

2Laboratory of Ecosystems Protection in Arid and Semi-Arid Zones, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Natural and Life Sciences, University of Kasdi Merbah, Ghardaïa road, 30000, Ouargla, Algeria

3Ecole Normale Superieure de Ouargla, Algeria

4Institute of Evolutionary Science-Montpellier (ISEM), University of Montpellier, CNRS, EPHE, IRD, Montpellier, France

5Comparative Anatomy Unit, National Veterinary School of Nantes, Vet Agro Bio Nantes-Oniris, route de Gachet, CS 40706, 44307, Nantes, Cedex 03, France

*Corresponding Author: Boukerrou Maya, Gestion Sante et Productions Animales Research Laboratory, Institut des Sciences Veterinaires El-Khroub, Universite Constantine 1 Freres Mentouri, Constantine, 25000, Algeria, Email: maya.boukerrou@doc.umc.edu.dz

Online published on 12 June, 2025.

Abstract

In zooarchaeology, reference collections are essential for identifying skeletal remains and for predicting measurements of living animals. To date, the archaeozoological studies in Algeria are still limited and morphometric reference datasets of local breeds are yet to be established. This study aimed to reveal the correlations between measurements of living animals and their skulls.

A total of 30 females of the Ouled Djellal Algerian White Arab breed were analyzed: 15 adults and 15 young adults. Eight external body measurements were taken before slaughter and the live weight was estimated. After slaughter, the heads were collected, meticulously cleaned, weighed and measured. Sixteen craniometric measurements were taken and two indices were calculated.

The differences between the mean values of young adults and adults were not statistically significant (p>0.05), except for wither height, naso-dental oblique length (CL31), greatest palatal breadth (CB14), greatest breadth across the premaxillae (CB18) and least height of the occipital (CH5). Young adults have a higher neurocranium and are more massive, whereas adults have a wider viscerocranium. Correlations between cranial and external measurements were partially significant, predominantly in adults. The strongest correlation was observed between the thoracic perimeter and condylobasal length (p<0.0001). These results provide a new reference dataset for archaeozoology.

Keywords

Osteometry, Ouled djellal, Skull, Zooarchaeology