The diversity of creole animals in the market of San Francisco El Alto, Totonicapán

Abstract

The San Francisco Market El Alto offers the largest livestock supply in the Western Region of Guatemala, operates on Friday of each week, with assistance from national merchants and neighboring countries, in wholesale sales of products. The file of the Municipality reports a movement of ten to twelve million quetzales per week. Corresponding more than half of said income to the sale of animals. The location of the municipality is strategic, communicated by the Inter-American Highway, at short distances from the municipalities and departments of Totonicapán; to whom it belongs; Quetzaltenango, Huehuetenango and San Marcos, for studies carried out, it is known that the “intermediaries” of live animals, are mobilized in all the livestock markets of the West, within a weekly calendar that allows it. The initial survey consisted of 3 visits to the San Francisco market, being able to document the largest offer in pigs, poultry (chickens, turkeys and ducks), sheep, cattle, goats, horses and dogs of various breeds and encastes in that order; the phenotypes of modern breeds prevail in mammals and Creole in birds, of which fertile eggs are also offered and the products of dehydrated or floury marine species. if the presence of the modern or “improved” breeds of 30 years to date is compared, an increase is observed, due to the erosion of the Local Creole Races; animals that phenotypically show their origin and have special preference for tasting knowledgeable people, also considered resistance to some diseases. However, there are problems of parasitosis, nutrition and consanguinity that limit the expression of the true potential of the local criollo breeds, as observed in the photographs of the study. The origin of sellers-buyers of domestic breeds can be determined for purposes of technical assistance or rescue of Local Animal Genetic Resources for specific projects. This communication aims to promote studies and projects to research, education and technology transfer entities. Considering local Creole breeds, a heritage to be developed and inserted into their programs, also carry out activities in similar markets in Guatemala.