CARACTERIZACION ZOOTECNICA DE BOVINOS Y CERDOS CRIOLLOS ENCONTRADOS EN LA SIERRA MEDIO ALTA DE LOS ANDES EN LA REGION SUR DEL ECUADOR

Abstract

The Middle-High land in the Andes mountains of the South Region of Ecuador, occupies an altitudinal range between 1800 and 2800 meters above sea level and covers an approximate area of 148,000 ha, in which ecological formations are the Lower Montane dry forest (bsMB) and montane forest (bM). These native breed in the area, have remarkable qualities, which, are: high maternal instincts, exceptional hardiness and high capacity to take advantage both Low, dispersed and diverse natural vegetation, as the stubble of crops, also a lower demand in the artificial harding conditions. The breeds of livestock (cattle and pigs) identified and characterized in the high Land half-RSE, is clearly a population adapted to the environment, but by poor management have not been able to deploy a productive and reproductive performance. These breeds are: Cattle: "Black Lojano": Mainly black coat and white a lower percentage in udder and cannon bone, this cattle is medium stature with the presence of horns, narrow chest, fair to good deep chest and abdominal, deficient mammary system, the hoof are usually pigmented, anterior and posterior limbs are knock-kneed. Pigs "Churon": The main feature of this variety is the curly mantle (Churon) and black hair but in some animals the hair could be red with black spots, the snout is short in this breed, their stature, height and body length are reduced. Pigs " Black Cerdon": The pig "Black Cerdon" has straight, black and long hair, but the principal morphological feature is the sharp-snout (Trompudo).