Body Region Sampling Areas- and Phaneroptics-Associated Hair Fiber Phenotypes in Canarian Camel Versus Merino Sheep

The variability of camel hair fibers physical-mechanical properties across sampling body areas and phaneroptics continue to be relatively unexplored topics in scientific literature. With the aim to valorize camel hair fibers, the present investigation has examined, through discriminant canonical analysis, fiber properties of Canarian camel hair regarding the body region sampled by comparing them with Merino sheep wool, world’s most demanded textile fiber. Additionally, camel hair attribute differences depending on phaneroptics such as coat or eye color and particularities have been determined. Diameter at the base of the fiber is higher for adult camels and increases from the mid-region to the back of the animal. Besides, the highest variability in both staple length and mean diameter was found for camel shoulder and hump fibers. Camel tail dock was the region with the finest fibers but also the one accounting for the highest percentage of residual dirt. Coat color and particularities were unlikely to significantly (<i>p</i> &lt; .05) affect fiber diameter and strength but did affect the brightness of final textile products. These results may help to tailor strategies within camel farming systems seeking the maximization of their productive outcomes, which is of utter relevance in endangered animal genetic resources.

骆驼毛纤维物理机械性能在不同采样体区以及体表外观特征间的差异，在科学文献中仍属于相对未被充分探索的研究主题。为开发利用骆驼毛纤维，本研究通过典型判别分析（discriminant canonical analysis），针对加那利骆驼毛的纤维性能展开研究，按采样体区进行分类，并将其与全球需求最高的纺织纤维——美利奴羊毛进行对比。此外，本研究还明确了骆驼毛纤维属性因体表外观特征（如被毛颜色、眼色）及个体外观特异性而存在的差异。成年骆驼的纤维基部直径更大，且纤维直径从体中部向背部逐渐递增。骆驼肩部和驼峰处的纤维在毛丛长度与平均直径上的变异程度最高。骆驼尾区的纤维最为纤细，但同时也是残留污垢占比最高的采样区域。被毛颜色及外观特异性不会在p < 0.05的统计学显著性水平下对纤维直径与强度产生显著影响，但会对最终纺织产品的亮度产生影响。本研究结果可为骆驼养殖体系定制优化策略提供参考，以实现生产效益最大化，这对于濒危动物遗传资源保护而言具有极为重要的意义。