Creole cattle an animal genetic resource for food security for Ecuador and Latin America

Abstract

Creole cattle, both for Ecuador and for Latin America, have been the basis of cattle farming for hundreds of years. At present there is a tendency to disappear, due to the development of other breeds and the crossing between them. In this sense, a documentary study was carried out that led to the review of the specialized scientific literature. In the zoometric and phaneroptic characteristics of Creole cattle both in Ecuador and in Latin America, there is great variability, especially associated with altitude. One of these indicators is the coloration of the coat, which is highly variable. Most of the investigations have reached a consensus, it is evident that ellipometric and eumetric animals predominate in Creole cattle. The size of the animal allows it to better adapt to the dry tropical climate by making it easier for it to move in large spaces to feed, in this way the hair has changed due to these conditions and appears short, although in the coldest areas it is medium in size. Other characteristics that predominate are the black color on the hooves and nose, small and horizontal ears, and a straight frontonasal profile with large horns.