Paredes-Chocce M, Sessarego E, Tafur L, Temoche V, Salinas J, Acosta I, Ruiz J, Cruz J, Trillo F. 2025. Short Communication: Prediction of body weight using morphometric measurements in Creole goats from Peru. Biodiversitas 26: 3193-3198. Goats are an important component of smallholder family farms along the coast and highlands of Peru. The weight of an animal is an important indicator of the production and economy of farmers in rural areas. Therefore, this study aimed to develop predictive models for Body Weight (BW) using Morphometric Measurements (MM) of Creole goats (Capra hircus) in Perú. BW and five MM were collected from 356 goats from the coast and highlands of Peru. Variables were analyzed using correlation and stepwise regression analysis to select the best model based on the coefficient of determination (r2), adjusted r2, Residual Standard Error (RSE), and Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) using the RStudio statistical software. The highest correlation was found between BW and TG (0.76), followed by RW (0.67), and RH (0.65). The combinations of MM selected as predictors of BW by stepwise regression were TG, RH, and RW, with r2: 0.640. The selected candidate model met all established tests and, upon validation, reached an r2 of 0.66 (p<0.001), indicating that the model can adequately predict the BW of Peruvian Creole goats and serve as a practical tool to support selection programs, feeding strategies, and market decision-making in smallholder systems.

The “algarrobo”, Neltuma pallida is a key tree species in the seasonally dry tropical forests in Equatorial Pacific South America, currently at risk. Its regeneration depends on endozoochorous seed dispersal, in which seeds are ingested and later defecated by animals, helping to release and scarify them. This study compared the role of the native white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and the introduced goat (Capra hircus) in seed dispersal. Seeds were recovered from the dung of both species after experimental feeding and from free-ranging goats grazing in fruiting N. pallida forests. Seed recovery was higher in deer dung (9.4%) than in goat dung (3.1%). Retention time was also shorter in deer (peak at 48 hours) than in goats (peak at 84 hours). Only deer scarification significantly improved germination percentage (Tukey test, p < 0.001) and germination speed (T25 = 8.98 days). Goats reduced germination speed under experimental conditions (T25 = 19.25 days), but slightly improved it under forest conditions (T25 = 12.81 days). These differences are attributed to the morphophysiological traits of each species. Although goats did not enhance overall germination, they maintained it at ~44% and contributed to seed dispersal and dormancy release.

The “algarrobo” (Neltuma pallida) is a key tree species in the seasonally dry tropical forests in Equatorial Pacific coast of South America, currently at risk. Its regeneration depends on endozoochorous dispersal, in which seeds are ingested and later defecated by animals, helping to release and scarify them. We compared the role of the native white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus peruvianus) and the introduced goat (Capra hircus) in seed dispersal. Seeds were recovered from the dung of both species after experimental feeding and from grazing goats in a fruiting N. pallida forest. Seed recovery was higher in deer dung (9.34%) than in goat dung (3.09%), and retention time was shorter in deer than in goats (peak at 48 and 84 h respectively). Only passage of seeds through the deer’s digestive tract significantly improved cumulative germination (63% vs. 44%) and germination rate (time to reach 25% germination, T25 = 8.98 days). Meanwhile, the passage of seeds through the goat’s digestive system reduced germination rate under experimental conditions (T25 = 19.25 days) but slightly increased it under forest conditions (T25 = 12.81 days), where goats ingest fruits constantly. Differences in seed recovery and germination are explained by the morphophysiological traits of ruminants. In conclusion, both goats and deer contribute to seed dispersal. White-tailed deer enhances seed germination (~66%), whereas goats maintain seed viability (~44%) and exhibit a longer seed retention time. During peak fruiting, alternating grazing between high-fruiting and degraded areas is recommended to maximize seed incorporation into the soil.