A Study on Morphological and Morphometrical Parameters on the Skull of the Konya Merino Sheep

Abstract

Objective: In this study, it was aimed to determine the craniometric measurements of the skull of the Konya Merino breed and to reveal the differences between it and other sheep breeds. Material-Method: For this study, ten Konya merino heads were used and craniometric measurements were made from 46 points on the skull. Result: In the study, the skull length of the Konya merino was 274.03 ± 5.23, the frontal width (ectorbitale – ectorbitale) which is the widest region of the skull 123.47 ± 2.60, zygomatic width (the distance between two zygomatic arches) 110.30 ± 1.96 and the distance between the foramen supraorbitales 49.06 ± 2.38. has been found to be. It was determined that both the fronto-nasal and palato-maxillar sutures resembled the letter "V" in Konya merino, while the pariato-frontal suture was in the form of a straight line. When the correlation between index values was examined, it was seen that there was a statistically significant strong positive correlation between I1 (Nasal index) and I2 (Facial Index), but the relationship between other examined features was insignificant. When the statistically significant correlation values of the skull measurements are examined, it is seen that there is a strong negative or positive correlation between the features. While the highest positive correlation was between L5 (premolare – prosthion) and L39 (greatest palatal breadth (measured across the outer borders of the alveoli) features (0.943), the highest negative correlation was L33 (greatest neurocranium breadth-greatest breadth of the alveoli)). braincase (euryon - euryon) and L46 (supraorbital foramina distance) features were found to be (-0.908). Conclusion: As a result, in this study, it is thought that the difference in the craniometric values of Konya merino, which is accepted as the native breed of Turkey, with other sheep breeds, depending on the skull morphology, may be caused by the breed of sheep.