The Journal "Agriculture and Forestry"
Časopis "Poljoprivreda i šumarstvo"
- Since 1955 -
Year 2012, Volume 58 Issue 3
| Year : | 2012 |
| Volume : | 58 |
| Issue : | 3 |
| Authors : | Lumturi PAPA, Kristaq KUME |
| Title : | THE RESULTS OF IDENTIFICATION AND CHARACTERISATION OF THE DONKEY POPULATION IN ALBANIA |
| Abstract : | Donkeys have lived for centuries in Albania, particularly in the coastal and hilly areas, helping man in his attempts to face the rough environment. Donkeys adapt very well to the severe conditions, but they’re also strong, resistant, have modest feeding requirements and offer very good performance as a work and transport animal. These are the reasons that man has preferred donkeys more than other transportation animals, like horses and mules. The intensification of agriculture and the depopulation of remote rural areas have affected the diminishing economic importance of the donkey. The size of the donkey population is also decreasing. Nevertheless, the donkey continues to be an animal that is frequently found in the rural areas of Albania. The donkey population is estimated to be approximately 35,000 to 40,000 animals. To date, the donkey has not been the object of scientific study. The Albanian local donkey is a common breed originating from Nubia. The aim of this study was the identification and the phenotypic characterisation of the Albanian donkey population. Based on the investigations carried out in different regions, the Albanian donkey is described as a small animal, coloured grey, black, reddish or purple. Referring to the average morph-biometric traits, two different types were identified. The types are statistically, significantly different (P<0.05): wither height (98cm, 115cm), chest circumference (116.2cm, 131.6cm), body length (104.2cm, 120.6cm), chest depth (43.1cm, 48.2cm), chest width (24,2cm, 28.3cm), tibia circumference (12.5cm, 14.7cm), ear length (21,1cm, 27.7cm), body weight (97.3 kg, 154.7kg). The differences between males and females are not significant (P>0.05). To evaluate the differences between the two Albanian donkey types, the analysis of polymorphic blood proteins and DAN are necessary. |
| For citation : | Lumturi PAPA, Kristaq KUME (2012): THE RESULTS OF IDENTIFICATION AND CHARACTERISATION OF THE DONKEY POPULATION IN ALBANIA. Agriculture & Forestry, Vol. 58. Issue 3: 125-134, 2012, Podgorica. ISSN 0554-5579 (Printed) ISSN 1800-9492 (Online). |
| Keywords : | donkey, local breed, phenotypic characterization |
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