Breed differentiation among Japanese native chickens by specific skull features determined by direct measurements and computer vision techniques

Abstract

1. Inter-breed morphological comparisons were made among 11 breeds of Japanese native chickens (Gifujidori, Hinaidori, Shokoku, Totenko, Tomaru, Satsumadori, Shamo, Koshamo, Koeyoshi, Chabo and Nagoya), White Leghorn, broiler chickens (Chunky) and red junglefowl collected in the Philippines, based on results of direct measurements and analysis by computer vision techniques of the skull.

2. Analysis of direct measurements identified two groups of chicken: a small type that included the Chabo, Koshamo, red junglefowl, Gifujidori and Shokoku and a large type that included the remaining breeds studied. These groupings were made based on size determined both in the first (PC1) and second principal component (PC2). The greatest length of the cranium and condylobasal length greatly contributed to the morphological differences between these two groups.

3. Analysis by computer vision techniques, however, identified three groups: the Bantam group (which includes red junglefowl), Shokoku group and Shamo group. White Leghorn clustered within the Shokoku group while the broiler chicken belonged to the Shamo group. The region around the junction of the neural cranium and the visceral cranium contributed greatly to the morphological differences among breeds, both in the PC1 and PC2.

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank Messrs J. Takashima and H. Naka both of the Japan Poultry Society, Kyushu University, the Research Institute in Tokyo, Ibaraki, Hiroshima, Akita and Kagoshima Prefecture, and National Livestock Breeding Center for kindly providing the samples used in this experiment. This study was supported by the research project for the years 2004–2007, Agriculture Research Institute, Faculty of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture, the Society of Domestic Fowl Studies and a Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (A: No. 17200015, 2005–2007) from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science.