Phenotypic and Biochemical Diversity of Nigerian Dromedary Camels in Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria

This study assessed genetic diversity of Nigerian dromedary camels in Maiduguri at phenotypic and biochemical levels. A total of seventy adult camels; grey (31), brown (39) coat-types of both sexes, were used. Morphological traits examined were; body height, body length, hump height, height at withers, heart girth, neck length and neck circumference. Cellulose Acetate Electrophoresis was used to assess heamoglobin genotypes. Data were analyzed using SPSS. Grey camel had significantly longer neck (90.10 cm). There was significant (P<0.05) heart girth for female (156.75 cm) indicating sexual dimorphism. Highest positive correlations (0.966, 0.964) were observed for body height and height at wither (grey) and body height and hump height (brown). There were significant (P<0.01) positive correlations (0.953, 0.976) between body height and hump height; and body height and height at wither in male and female, respectively suggesting these as best to improve body height of camels. Highest negative correlations (-0.377, -0.142) between hump height and neck length (grey); heart girth and height at wither (brown) be considered in selection scheme to avoid antagonistic effect. The populations were predominantly heterozygous (AB) for heamoglobin genotype, a probable indication of extinction. The result suggested that Maiduguri camel populations have good potentials for improvement. Keywords: Dromedary camel, genetic diversity, heamoglobin genotype, conservation, morphological traits