Possible tendency of longer horns towards shorter ears in goats

Abstract

A study was designed to evaluate the correlation in ear and horn sizes, in both cases as keys to body thermoregulation. For this purpose, measurements of the horn (length and perimeter) and ears (length and width) were obtained from 23 adult Catalan Goat (Cabra Catalana) females. A negative significant correlation between ear and horn size was obtained. According to this research, both horns and ears would contribute to thermoregulation; this function being not therefore solely a function of having big or small horns, as has normally been stated to be the case. Although the studied sample is small, obtained results would indicate interesting hypotheses for future study of goat breeds.