Influence of Parity on Clutch Traits of Breeding Tortoises in a Humid Tropical Environment of South-South, Nigeria
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64137/31079377/IJMSD-V2I1P104Keywords:
Parity, Mating Ratio, Clutch Size, Breeder, Clutch Trait, HatchlingAbstract
Data from Serrated Hinged Terrapin (SHT) and African Spurred Tortoise (AST) strains of tortoise and their crosses were used to assess the influence of parity on clutch traits of breeding tortoises. A total of forty-five (45) breeder tortoises (5 Sires and 40 Dams) were used to constitute the three mating groups. The mating groups were: SHT x SHT, AST x AST, and SHT x AST. The mating ratio was 1 male to 4 females. Five parities per female per mating group were monitored, giving a total of sixty (60) clutch sizes. Records were obtained on clutch sizes and weights at hatchling and juvenile stages. The clutch size trend in AST x AST was similar to that of SHT x SHT, with the highest clutch size recorded in the first parity. The level of heterosis in clutch size at hatchling was 4.63% this value, though relatively low, reflects a better genetic constitution of the crossbred than the parents. Clutch weight recorded at third and fifth parities with clutch sizes of 5.6 and 4.6, respectively, was higher than the corresponding weight for the clutch size of 6.5; the trend differs within the AST x AST group. Clutch size at the juvenile stage ranged between 4.3 and 8.3 for SHT x SHT, with a mean of 6.3. Significant (p<0.05) differences within parities were recorded for clutch size at hatchling and juvenile stages for the SHT x SHT breed. Conclusively, any of the three genotypes may be kept for optimum production, although the crossbred exhibited better performance numerically.
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