Biometry of head and cranial cavity of wooless mongrel sheep (Ovis aries LINNAEUS, 1758) in Petrolina/Pernambuco, Brazil

Abstract

The sheep is a commonly used species in Northeast region of Brazil because of its high rusticity. Yet, very little is known about the anatomy of these species. Therefore, the number of studies in this field is increasing to stimulate technical and scientific subsidies to professionals in Veterinary Medicine. The aim of this study was to establish correlations between the head and cranial cavity dimensions, using 80 sheep, 40 males and 40 females, with a medium weight of 27,0 to 33,0 kg. In females, it was observed correlation between corporal weight and length of the head; corporal weight and width of the head; length of the head and its respective width; length of the head and length of the cranial cavity; height of the head and length of the cranial cavity. The other dimensions, in females, had non-significant correlation. In males, the only correlation established was between height of the head and height of the cranial cavity. Thus, it was possible to conclude that the larger the proportions of the cranium are, the larger will be the dimensions and the intracranial volume.