The Canary Islands' goat breeds (Majorera, Tinerfeña, and Palmera): An example of adaptation to harsh conditions

Abstract

The importance of small dairy ruminants has increased significantly in last years and goats have shown to be well adapted to harsh conditions. On the Canary Islands, an insular territory of Spain, goat population is higher than 300,000 heads adapted to this subtropical Archipelago with different microclimates, being disseminated through the seven islands. This census supposes about 70% of the total livestock population on the islands. There are three local dairy goat breeds, Majorera, Tinerfeña, and Palmera. The three breeds are considered high-yielding dairy goats. Majorera breed is adapted to arid climates; conversely, Palmera goats are adapted to rainy and abrupt areas. Regarding Tinerfeña breed, two ecotypes are recognized, one adapted to rainy (North ecotype) and the other to dry environments (South ecotype). Additionally to the Canary Islands, Majorera goats have shown to be well adapted in other places, especially in arid, semiarid, and even tropical regions.