Genealogia e seleção de características produtivas e reprodutivas em caitetus ( Pecari tajacu,Linnaeus 1758) em cativeiro na Amazonia

Abstract

Collared peccary (Pecari tajacu) have zootechnical potential for meat and leather production and represent 16% of illegal hunting seized per year in Amazonas. In the Amazon, caitetus farming can be a sustainable source of income. Caitetus productivity is influenced by female reproductive efficiency (average number of offspring/births, number of births/female/year), maternal ability, survival and performance of offspring. Evaluating the influence of genealogy on the reproductive and productive characteristics of caitetus in intensive breeding systems in Amazonas was the objective of this study, which was carried out in the Wild Animals sector/FAEXP/UFAM, km38, BR-174,Manaus, in warehouse( 8mX24m) of 9 stalls (7mX3m) composed of a herd of 49 animals (microchipped with FDXB, AnimallTag transponders), divided into different densities of reproductive groups (couples of 2 males: 4 females). Births, deaths, biometrics and weighings were recorded for 12 months in four years of experiment. Data from the collection of the Wild Animals laboratory from 2016 - 2019 was also used, and data collected during the experiment from 2020 - 2023. To analyze the influence of the genealogical ancestry of the caititus, the family tree of each founding mother of the squad was created, being birth records and biometrics were consulted, and tabulated (Excell) for descriptive analysis of each animal, defining the mother and father, productive parameters (length and weight at birth, at weaning, at 12 months and current; GDP) and reproductive ( number of births/year; average offspring/birth/year; survival and weight of offspring). In active females, to evaluate maternal ability, behavioral tests were applied (focal animal method), and interactions with offspring and agonistic interactions were recorded. and the mother's reaction to humans. To analyze the relationships between the zootechnical parameters of the ancestors and their descendants, correlation and regression analysis was carried out and the heritability estimate of the reproductive and productive parameters was carried out by analyzing the phenotypic values of the progenies/progenitors. The maternal ability of matriarchs was the factor that most influenced the survival rate and performance of offspring, and was passed on to their daughters through group living and learning. The greater number of animals per group did not influence infanticides, which were reduced where mothers had better ability. The heritability of productive and reproductive characteristics was medium to high, more due to learning in the group than to genetic factors.