Daramola J O, Adeloye A A
Department of Animal Physiology, University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria.
Trop Anim Health Prod. 2009 Oct;41(7):1005-16. doi: 10.1007/s11250-008-9267-6. Epub 2008 Nov 19.
West African Dwarf (WAD) goats are widely distributed in the subhumid and humid zones of Africa but are particularly associated with less favourable environments. Adaptive features such as feeding behaviour, efficiency of feed use and disease tolerance enable WAD goats to thrive on natural resources left untouched by other domestic ruminants. In marginal environments this goat remains the only domestic species that is able to survive. Among its physiological features small body size and low metabolic requirements are important traits that enable the animal to minimize its requirements in area or season where food sources are limited in quality and quantity. Specialized feeding behaviour and an efficient digestive system enable the animal to maximize food intake. Coat colour plays an important role in the evolved adaptation of this goat type. Reproductive fitness as manifested by prolific breeding is a major factor of adaptation. Defence mechanisms against infectious agents enable this type to thrive well in the hot humid tropics. The mechanisms involved in the regulation of these physiological functions of WAD goat are discussed. An understanding of these mechanisms could result in the development of improved techniques for enhancing goat productivity in humid environments.
西非矮山羊广泛分布于非洲半湿润和湿润地区，但特别与不太适宜的环境相关。诸如采食行为、饲料利用效率和疾病耐受性等适应性特征，使西非矮山羊能够依靠其他家养反刍动物未触及的自然资源茁壮成长。在边缘环境中，这种山羊仍然是唯一能够存活的家养物种。在其生理特征中，体型小和代谢需求低是重要特性，使该动物能够在食物来源的质量和数量有限的地区或季节将需求降至最低。专门的采食行为和高效的消化系统使该动物能够最大限度地摄入食物。毛色在这种山羊类型的进化适应中起着重要作用。以多产繁殖表现出的繁殖适应性是适应的一个主要因素。针对传染原的防御机制使这种类型能够在炎热潮湿的热带地区良好生长。本文讨论了参与调节西非矮山羊这些生理功能的机制。了解这些机制可能会促成开发出改进技术，以提高潮湿环境中山羊的生产力。
