Morphometric characterization of New Zealand white rabbit raised at different areas

The study aimed to morphometric characterization the New Zealand White (NZW) doe at three different areas. The materials used were 295 heads of NZW doe rabbits from 29 farms located at different areas. Twelve morphometric characteristics consist of body weight, eight body measurements, and three-body indices. Data analysis was performed by Mixed model, Pearson’s correlation, Principal component, and Canonical discriminant procedures. The most of parameters showed significant differences among areas. The heaviest body weight (4.71 kg) was observed in low-land and the lightest in medium land (3.54 kg). Most of the morphometric characters showed positive correlations with each other. Results of principal component show that the body indices of NZW doe raised in three different areas were similar. Canonical discriminant analysis showed that low-land was more favorable than high-land and medium land. In conclusion, The variation in size difference for morphometric characters of female New Zealand white rabbit could be explained by body index and thoracic index. The morphometric characteristics of New Zealand white doe raised in low-land area were superior to those raised in high-land and medium land areas.