The craniological collection of the Museum of Animal Husbandry named after E.F. Liskun, as an object of study of morphological, genetic and zootechnical features of cattle breeds

Relevance. This article deals with the study of history of the unique craniological collection of the Museum of Animal Husbandry named after Academician E.F. Liskun and a review of the current state of craniological research in animal husbandry.
Methods. The classical method of measuring the craniological material of Academician E.F. Liskun, his contribution to the formation and development of domestic craniological science is considered. The possibility of applying the craniological research methodology, as well as ways of its use in other sciences are under discussion. Of particular interest are the studies of skulls of extinct cattle breeds preserved in the museum›s collection. The experimental part of the work is based on the collection of the Liskun Museum of Animal Husbandry. The skulls of cattle breeds from the museumʼs craniological collection are examined: «Algau» breed, «Velikorussky Great Russian» breed, «Krasnaya Tambovskaya Red Tambov», «Revelskaya» breed, local «Saratov» varieties. Checks of measurements of skulls were carried out by using the tools as a caliper, a measuring tape and a ruler.
Results. The studies of historical museum exhibits (skulls) allow us to obtain new data on the evolution of domestic genetic structure («allelo-fund») of cattle breeds, which makes it possible to compare it with modern populations. The obtained data will be used in the development of breed conservation programs, as well as in breeding, as local cattle breeds are the source of genetic variability that has a rapid response to the needs of agricultural production. The obtained data allow more sophisticated studies of evolutionary processes.

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