Author : Afable, Felix A.

Summary : Two simultaneous studies were conducted to describe and compare the morphometric variabilities and genetic polymorphisms in Philippine Mallard and in Muscovy duck varieties of the Philippine and Thailand. In Study 1, 163 adult Philippine Mallards of both sexes were sampled from four locations of the Philippines. The body weight, breast depth, breast width, keel length and shank length were measured, while the plumage color pattern, bill, shank and skin colors were described. Four protein (pre-albumin, albumin, transferrin and hemoglabin) and twp isozymes (esterase and alkaline phosphate) were electrophoretically analyzed for genetic variants using a horizontal isoelectrofocusing (IEF technique in thin polyacrylamide gel (PAGE). In Study 2, 99 adult muscovy duck of both sexes from the Philippines and Thailand were sampled. The Philippine Muscovy ducks were sampled in locations where the Philippine Mallards were taken while the Thai Muscovy ducks were taken from Kasetsart University Animal Farm, Kamphaengsean campus. Sexual dimorhism was consistently observed in favor of the drakes. Philippine Mallard from different locations differed (P<0.01) in measured body parameters but similar in descriptive traits. Plumage color pattern varied with the wild type being predominant. Regardless of sex and origin, the Philippine Mallards were generally black-billed, orange-shanked and white-skinned. Protein and isozyme analysis revealed polymorphic loci in all markers screened (pre-albumin, albumin, transferrin, hemoglabin, esterase and alkaline phosphatase). The Philippine Mallards showed high genetic heterozygozity. Similarly, Muscovy drakes from both the Philippines and Thailand were morphometrically superior in all paremeters. Morphometric traits were different (P<0.01) with Thai gray being superior over the black and white varieties. The plumage color and pattern of Muscovy duck from both countries were wild-type, and white down except for a blue dilution (gray) pattern of a Thai Muscovy.