Quantitative analysis of production traits in saltwater crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus): II. age at slaughter

J Anim Breed Genet. 2005 Dec;122(6):370-7. doi: 10.1111/j.1439-0388.2005.00549.x.

Abstract

Crocodile morphometric (head, snout-vent and total length) measurements were recorded at three stages during the production chain: hatching, inventory [average age (+/-SE) is 265.1 +/- 0.4 days] and slaughter (average age is 1037.8 +/- 0.4 days). Crocodile skins are used for the manufacture of exclusive leather products, with the most common-sized skin sold having 35-45 cm in belly width. One of the breeding objectives for inclusion into a multitrait genetic improvement programme for saltwater crocodiles is the time taken for a juvenile to reach this size or age at slaughter. A multivariate restricted maximum likelihood analysis provided (co)variance components for estimating the first published genetic parameter estimates for these traits. Heritability (+/-SE) estimates for the traits hatchling snout-vent length, inventory head length and age at slaughter were 0.60 (0.15), 0.59 (0.12) and 0.40 (0.10) respectively. There were strong negative genetic (-0.81 +/- 0.08) and phenotypic (-0.82 +/- 0.02) correlations between age at slaughter and inventory head length.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Age Factors
  • Alligators and Crocodiles / anatomy & histology*
  • Alligators and Crocodiles / growth & development*
  • Animal Husbandry / methods*
  • Animals
  • Body Weights and Measures*
  • Breeding / methods*
  • Environment, Controlled
  • Female
  • Likelihood Functions
  • Male
  • Models, Statistical
  • Quantitative Trait, Heritable*