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Hokkaido University Collection of Scholarly and Academic Papers >
Graduate School of Agriculture / Faculty of Agriculture >
Journal of the Graduate School of Agriculture, Hokkaido University >
Vol.75 >
Pelage insulation in mustelids : Hair density and morphology of medulla in mustelids
| Title: | Pelage insulation in mustelids : Hair density and morphology of medulla in mustelids |
| Authors: | Kondo, Keiji Browse this author |
| Keywords: | pelag | | insulation | | hair density | | hair medulla | | Mustelidae |
| Issue Date: | Mar-2020 |
| Publisher: | Research Faculty of Agriculture, Hokkaido University |
| Journal Title: | Journal of the Research Faculty of Agriculture, Hokkaido University |
| Volume: | 75 |
| Start Page: | 1 |
| End Page: | 9 |
| Abstract: | Pelage insulation depends on the density and length of hair. Hair density is an important factor for determining the quality of fur and to help mammals adapt to their habitat. This study measured hair density and observed the morphology of the medulla in pelage of Japanese mustelids. Hair density was calculated from the number of hairs per hair bundle and the number of hair bundles per cm2. Morphological observations of the medulla were made with a scanning electron microscope(SEM). The hair density was highest in the sea otter(Enhydra lutris),followed by the river otter(Lutra lutra),the mink(Neovison vison),the ermine(Mustela earminea),the sable(Martes zibellina),the Japanese weasel (Mustela itatsi ),and the least weasel(Mustela nivalis ). The morphology of the medulla varied more than expected. This suggests that the medulla morphology could be used to identify a species in mammals. This study suggests the possibility for clarifying whether hair density and the morphology of the medulla depend upon taxonomy or habitat,by examining the pelage of species inhabiting different environments. |
| Type: | bulletin (article) |
| URI: | http://hdl.handle.net/2115/77396 |
| Appears in Collections: | Journal of the Graduate School of Agriculture, Hokkaido University > Vol.75
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