Morphometric Analysis and Sex Dimorphism of the Autochthonous Lipe Sheep

Sara KOVAČEVIĆ; Vladimir DIMITRIJEVIĆ; András GÁSPÁRDY; Mila SAVIĆ; Ružica TRAILOVIĆ; Elmin  TARIĆ; Nina DOMINIKOVIĆ; Nikola ČOBANOVIĆ; Bogdan CEKIĆ; Zsolt Becskei

doi:10.59913/dagr.2025.20663

Sara KOVAČEVIĆ Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade, Bulevar oslobodjenja 18, Belgrade, SERBIA
Vladimir DIMITRIJEVIĆ Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade, Bulevar oslobodjenja 18, Belgrade, SERBIA
András GÁSPÁRDY Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest, Hungary
Mila SAVIĆ Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade, Bulevar oslobodjenja 18, Belgrade, SERBIA
Ružica TRAILOVIĆ Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade, Bulevar oslobodjenja 18, Belgrade, SERBIA
Elmin TARIĆ Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade, Bulevar oslobodjenja 18, Belgrade, SERBIA
Nina DOMINIKOVIĆ Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade, Bulevar oslobodjenja 18, Belgrade, SERBIA
Nikola ČOBANOVIĆ Department for Food Higiene and Technology
Bogdan CEKIĆ Main Breeding Organization, Department of Sheep and Goat breeding and Genetics, Institute for Animal Husbandry, Autoput 16, Belgrade, SERBIA
Zsolt Becskei +381659911101 https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8724-5892

DOI: https://doi.org/10.59913/dagr.2025.20663

Keywords: autochthonous breed, genetic resource, Lipe sheep, morphometric analysis, sexual dimorphism

Abstract

Lipe sheep is an autochthonous and endangered sheep endemic to a limited area in Serbia, representing an important element of national livestock biodiversity. As a locally adapted genetic resource, belonging to the Pramenka group of sheep, it holds ecological, cultural, and production-related value. However, population decline and exclusion from intensive breeding programs have made the population vulnerable to genetic erosion. This study evaluated sex dimorphism of the Lipe sheep through body measurements, craniometric, and pelvimetric morphometry. A total of 19 adults (10 ewes and 9 rams, aged 2.5 to 3.5 years) were analyzed. Results showed highly significant differences between sexes for body traits (p < 0.001), with rams consistently exhibiting greater values. Significant dimorphism was observed in cranial traits, with rams displaying more pronounced characteristics. Rams also had yellowish to dark, large, triangularly shaped, and spirally twisted horns, a key feature of sexual dimorphism. In contrast, no significant differences were found for pelvic traits, suggesting well-developed pelvis in ewes, ensuring easy lambing and uniform pelvic conformation. These findings indicate that the Lipe sheep exhibits stronger sex dimorphism in body and cranial morphology while maintaining functional uniformity in pelvic structure. The study contributes to a broader characterization of the Lipe sheep and provides a foundation for targeted conservation and breeding strategies. Preserving this sheep helps maintain agrobiodiversity and strengthens its role as a valuable genetic resource.

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