Phenotypic characterization of local female duck populations in Indonesia

Information on phenotypic traits is a prerequisite in animal genetic resource conservation and improvement. Phenotypic characteristics of 180 Indonesian female ducks collected from six populations (Alabio, Bayang, Magelang, Pegagan, Pitalah, and Rambon ducks) were studied. Data on qualitative traits were analyzed with descriptive statistics (percentages), while one-way analysis of variance was used to analyze the effect of populations on quantitative traits observed. The results revealed that the predominant plumage colors of the neck, breast, abdomen, back, secondary wings, primary wings, and thigh were brown (49.74), brown (34.03), brown (31.94), brown (50.26), dark brown (25.13), light brown (35.08), and brown (31.94), respectively. The dominant bill and web color were black (77.49) and dark brown (48.17), respectively. Variations were also found in quantitative morphological traits. The principal component analysis showed two to four principal components extracted from the factor analysis with varimax rotation, which accounted for 57.33, 66.26, 64.43, 54.66, and 77.44 of the total variance in the original variables for Alabio, Magelang, Pegagan, Pitalah, and Rambon ducks, respectively. Generally, the first factor in each population had high loadings on beak width. The observed phenotypic diversity in Indonesian local ducks could be useful in designing breeding programs and selection.