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Accuracy of image analysis for linear zoometric measurements in dromedary camels

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Abstract

The present study was designed to verify the effectiveness of the image analysis method for body measurement in dromedary camel compared to manual measurements as a reference method. To achieve this aim, twenty-one linear body measurements were estimated on 59 adult Sahraoui dromedary camels (22 males and 37 females) with a normal clinical condition by using a measuring stick or vernier caliper (standard method). On the other hand, image analysis on profile, front, or behind photographs was processed using Axiovision Software. Overall mean comparison, relative error, variance, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, and coefficient of variance showed that the image analysis method was accurate in relation to the manual measurement. Furthermore, image analysis results indicated relevant accuracy (bias correction factor, Cb ≈1) and precision (Pearson ρ ≈1) which were significantly correlated with the results of the reference method (Lin’s concordance correlation coefficients rccc ≈ 1). According to Bland–Altman upper and lower limits of agreement, the concordance was estimated between 93.22 and 98.3%. Passing-Bablok regression showed a good relationship between the results of the two methods displaying no significant systematic and proportional bias. The image analysis method for linear body measurements in dromedary camel showed results that are in agreement with the manual measuring method. Therefore, the image analysis could be considered a valid tool for camel conformation trait studies.

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Data availability

The datasets generated during and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the camel owners for making the animals available for the study and the participants for their support in taking animal measurements.

Funding

This research was supported by PRFU Scientific Research Project: Anatomo-physiological particularities and means to improve the Algerian dromedary, project code: D01N01UN410120190005.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Animal Productions, Biotechnologies and Health, Institute of Agronomic and Veterinary Sciences, University of Souk-Ahras, BP 41000, Souk Ahras, Algeria

    Djalel Eddine Gherissi, Ramzi Lamraoui & Faycel Chacha

  2. Department of Biology of Living Organisms, Faculty of Natural and Life Sciences, University of Batna 2, Batna (05110), Algeria

    Ramzi Lamraoui

  3. Biotechnology Research Center, PO E73 .NU N° 03, Constantine, Algeria

    Faycel Chacha

  4. Applied Genetic in Agriculture, Ecology and Public Health (GenApAgiE), Faculty SNV/STU, University of Tlemcen, Tlemcen, Algeria

    Semir Bechir Suheil Gaouar

Authors
  1. Djalel Eddine Gherissi
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  2. Ramzi Lamraoui
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  3. Faycel Chacha
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  4. Semir Bechir Suheil Gaouar
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Contributions

G.D.E. conceived and designed the study and performed the experiments; G.D.E. and L.R analyzed the data and G.D.E., L.R., C.F., and G.S.B.S. wrote and corrected the paper. All authors read and approved the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Djalel Eddine Gherissi.

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The camels were studied according to the ethical principles of animal experimentation and international guidelines for animal welfare (Terrestrial Animal Health Code 2018, Sect. 7. Art 7.5.1) and national executive decree No. 95–363 of November 11, 1995 (Algeria).

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The authors declare no competing interests.

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Gherissi, D.E., Lamraoui, R., Chacha, F. et al. Accuracy of image analysis for linear zoometric measurements in dromedary camels. Trop Anim Health Prod 54, 232 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-022-03242-3

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