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The variability of the Canary goat population has been determined by statistical analysis of 12 continuous variables (body length, breast width, breast height, height at end of neck, height to the rump, head width, distance between eyes, head length, hock length, rump width, thoracic circumference and shank circumference) and two qualitative variables (hem type and head profile). Eight hundred twenty one adult female goats from five of the Canary Islands were used in this study, The analysis of variance, the chi(2) independence test, and canonical discriminant analysis revealed the existence of three types (Tinerfeno, Majorero and Palmero) and two subtypes within the Tinerfeno type (Southern and Northern) in the goat population. The Majorero type can be found in Fuerteventura and Lanzarote, and the Tinerfeno type on Tenerife and the Palmero type in La Palma. The goat population in Gran Canaria may be considered a crossbreed population presenting features of all three types. The individual types have adapted to the different ecological conditions on these islands (desert, snow, mountains, etc.) and are now highly productive animals which could be considered for use in developing countries in view of their adaptability and productive performance. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.