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Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2022; 12(13); 1731; doi: 10.3390/ani12131731

No Morphological Integration of Dorsal Profiles in the Araucanian Horse (Colombia).

Abstract: The aim of this research was to determine if the division between the cervical, dorsal, and croup profiles (three regions commonly assessed for descriptive profile purposes) has a modular basis as well as a morphological integration. For this, a total of 135 digital photographs were obtained, in a lateral view, of adult horses (14 females and 121 geldings; age range: 2-20 years), of the Araucanian breed, an equine population typical of the flooded savannah of Arauca, NE Colombia. From each image, 25 reference points (semi-landmarks) were obtained at the dorsal level of the neck, back, and croup. The hypothesis of the modularity of different body profiles based on differentiated regions was tested using the coefficient, and an analysis of two blocks of partial least-squares allowed the evaluation of the level of morphological integration. The results showed that each alloidic group reflected high integration but low modularity. The covariation between the modules was centered mainly on the withers, the loin, and the croup. For the studied profile blocks, no module can be considered. The absence of the fragmentation of the alloidic sets would promote the adaptive capacity of the breed by linking coordinated functional responses to similar selection pressures, e.g., field work. Although the integration between the neck, back, and croup profiles was proven, their modular covariation was low.
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Publication Date: 2022-07-05 PubMed ID: 35804630PubMed Central: PMC9264922DOI: 10.3390/ani12131731Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research explores if the classification of an Araucanian horse’s body profile into cervical, dorsal, and croup sections has a modular structure and shows morphological integration. It was found that these profile sections are highly integrated but minimally modular.

Research Methodology

  • The study involved the analysis of 135 digital profile photographs of Araucanian horses. These horses, were aged between 2 to 20 years and they belonged to a breed native to the flooded savannah of Arauca in Northeastern Colombia.
  • Each profile photograph was divided into three sections – cervical (neck), dorsal (back), and croup (hindquarters). Twenty-five reference points were assigned to each section at the dorsal level. These points served as semi-landmarks for delineating the three sections.

Analysis and Findings

  • The researchers used two statistical methods to explore the modularity and morphological integration between the horse’s body profiles. These methods were the coefficient and an analysis of two blocks of partial least squares.
  • These methods and tests provided evidence that the cervical, dorsal, and croup profiles in Araucanian horses showed a high degree of integration but a low degree of modularity.
  • In other words, the different sections of a horse’s body profile were closely related and connected, rather than being separate or independent modules.
  • The areas where covariation between the profile sections was the most pronounced were the withers (the highest part of a horse’s back), the loin (lower back) and the croup (the horse’s hindquarters).

Implications and Conclusion

  • The study found that there were no clear divisions or ‘modules’ within the profile blocks of the Araucanian horses. Therefore, these horses’ body profiles are seen more as an integrated whole, rather than as separate parts.
  • This high level of morphological integration could potentially increase the adaptive capacity of the Araucanian breed. By linking the functional responses of different sections of a horse’s body to similar selection pressures, such as field work, the breed could potentially adapt better to different environments and tasks.
  • Even though there’s a clear connection between the horse’s neck, back, and croup profiles, their modular covariation is low. That is, while the body profiles are integrated and connected, they do not function or change as separate modules.

Cite This Article

APA
Salamanca-Carreño A, Parés-Casanova PM, Rangel-Pachón DE, Bentez-Molano J, Vélez-Terranova OM. (2022). No Morphological Integration of Dorsal Profiles in the Araucanian Horse (Colombia). Animals (Basel), 12(13), 1731. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12131731

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 12
Issue: 13
PII: 1731

Researcher Affiliations

Salamanca-Carreño, Arcesio
  • Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia, Villavicencio 500001, Colombia.
Parés-Casanova, Pere M
  • Acuerdo de Cooperación de Investigación, 25798 Catalonia, Spain.
Rangel-Pachón, David Eduardo
  • Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia, Villavicencio 500001, Colombia.
Bentez-Molano, Jannet
  • Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia, Villavicencio 500001, Colombia.
Vélez-Terranova, Oscar Mauricio
  • Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Palmira 763531, Colombia.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare that there are no competing interests regarding the publication of this paper.

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