CBPS; Section B; Nov . 2014 – Jan. 2015, Vol. 5, No. 1 ; 538-544.
E- ISSN: 2249 –1929
Journal of Chemical, Biological and Physical Sciences
An International Peer Review E-3 Journal of Sciences
Available online at www.jcbsc.org
Section B: Biological Sciences
CODEN ( USA): JCBPAT
Research article
Cuticle Scale Patterns, Medulla and Pigment in
Hairs of Some Carnivores
Gharu J and Trivedi S*
Department of Zoology, JN Vyas University, Jodhpur (Raj.)
Received: 01 December 2014; Revised: 14 December 2014; Accepted: 20 December 2014
Abstract: Hair morphology analysis can be one of the methods for overcoming
difficulties of studying carnivore species from family Felidae or Canidae for the
purpose of species identification, population monitoring or molecular genetics
studies. Identification of animals can be done by hair cuticle scale, medulla and
pigment analysis. Here we present characteristics and comparisons of cuticle scale
patterns, medulla and pigmentation in dorsal guard hairs of domestic cat (Felis
domesticus), tiger cub (Panther tigris), leopard cub (Panthera pardus) and domestic
dog (Canis familiaris) from Rajasthan.
Key words: Cuticle, domestic cat (Felis domesticus), domestic dog (Canis
familiaris), hair, scale pattern, medulla, leopard cub (Panthera pardus), tiger cub
(Panther tigris).
INTRODUCTION
It is difficult to collect data for the purpose of species identification and monitoring the field
population of animals from family Felidae and Canidae because they are either rare or dangerous or
both1,2 . Therefore, to overcome these difficulties there are many non-invasive methods like track
marks analysis, tagging, pug marks, hair studies etc. Amongst these, hair sample collection and
analysis is one of the easier methods for species identification and possibly their population studies.
Hair analysis technique is favorable compared to other methods because other techniques are time
consuming and costly or are of temporary nature. For e.g. in tagging technique, micro-chip is placed
inside the body of animal and/or tied on the animal, which can be dangerous. Pugmark technique is
less suitable because they are found only in wet places; marks made on the soil can get erased and it
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Cuticle scale …
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not possible to gather material for molecular genetic studies. Hair sample collection and analysis is
safer because hair samples can be collected from resting areas of animals where hair may naturally
fall or hair samples may be collected by hair snare methods3 . Besides this hair samples can be
collected from scat of the carnivores.
Hair analysis in several carnivores has been done earlier. These studies include, guard hairs from 17
species of carnivores including Canis, Felis and Panther tigris4 , marbled cat (Felis marmorata)5 ,
some mammalian predators like Canis aureus6 , Panther leo persica and Panthera pardus6,7 , furs of
mammals including dog and cat2 , 21 mammalian species including jackal, tiger, panther and jungle
cat8 etc. The present study aims to investigate and compare characteristics of hair cuticle scales,
medulla and pigmentation in guard hairs of domestic cat (Felis Domesticus), domestic dog (Canis
familiaris), tiger cub (Panther tigris) and leopard cub (Panthera pardus) from Rajasthan.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Sample collection: Dorsal guard hairs were taken from between shoulder blades of adult domestic
cats (Felis Domesticus) and adult domestic dogs (Canis familiaris) from Jodhpur, Udaipur (Rajasthan)
and surrounding areas. Hair samples of one tiger cub (Panther tigris) and one leopard cub (Panthera
pardus) were collected from the museum, Department of Zoology, Mohan Lal Sukhadia University,
Udaipur (Raj.), India.
Cuticle scales: For light microscopic examination, hairs were first washed with xylene. Hair cuticle
scale patterns and scale margins were studied by casting impressions of clean hairs on the thin film of
polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or polyvinyl acetate (PVA) on the glass slide9 . After some time when PVC
or PVA dried, the hairs were pulled out from the slide and the casts were observed under the
microscopes.
Medulla: The cleaned hairs were bleached with solution of hydrogen peroxide and ammonia as per
the method described for studying medulla10 . Hairs were then placed on a slide and mounted with an
appropriate reagent like DPX and observed under the light microscope.
Scale and medulla identification: Hair cuticle scale patterns, scale margins, scale distance and
medulla types were identified based on available keys9, 11, 12 .
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Cuticle scale pattern:
Felidae: Domestic Cat: Domestic cat (Felis domesticus) hair cuticle scales in the present study are
transverse, imbricate, flattened and regular, with distant but smooth margins. These may also be
described as coronal (Fig.1). Some scales in the present study have notched margins or chevron or
petal shape but is not a uniform feature. The present study shows similarities in some features of
cuticle scale patterns with other species of family Felidae. Flattened scales are reported in hairs of
Felis marmorata charltoni5 , Felis rubiginosa 4,13 , Lynx rufus, Herpailurus yaguarondi, Leopardus
wiedii12 , imbricate in Felis catus4,8,13-17, Felis rubiginosa4 , Felis viverrina 13 , Felis rufus, Herpailurus
yaguarondi and Leopardus wiedii12 , regular scales in Felis marmorata charltoni5 and Felis silvestris1719
. These observations are different from hair scales described as coronal, lanceolate etc. in Panthera
uncial20 , Felis caracal18,21,22 , Felis catus4,8,13-17 , Felis nigripes18 , Felis rubiginosa 4,13 , Felis serval18,22 ,
Felis silvestris17-19 , Felis viverrina13 and Herpailurus yaguarondi12 . Thus, species specific differences
in cuticle scale patters are seen in Felids.
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Cuticle scale …
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Tiger: Tiger cub (Panther tigris) hair cuticle scales observed in the present study are flattened,
transverse and some are obliquely placed, imbricate regular wave pattern, have rippled margin and
scale distance is near with generally one or two scales per row (Fig.-2) which is similar to other
studies1,8,11,23,24 and as deciphered from the figures presented in another report7 besides being slightly
different from observation of scales having highly crenate margins and short wide scales pattern4 .
Like other study24 , the present study also showed single row of petal like scales with smooth margins
in some hairs except that these were not chevron type. This also indicates that the scale patterns in
hairs from tiger cub observed in the present study are not significantly different from those of adult
tiger hairs as reported other studies. Thus age related alterations in scale patterns are not seen in tiger
hairs.
Leopard: Leopard cub (Panthera pardus) hair cuticle scales are regular, imbricate, petal and chevron
but with smooth margins, distance is broad with one or two scales per row (Fig.-3). This is similar to
other studies as deciphered from figures presented in another report7 besides descriptions in other
reports6,8,,12,13 ,18 except description as mosaic and wave pattern. Panther leo persica hair scale margins
are rippled, scale pattern is regular wave, scale distance is near and Panthera pardus scale margins are
crenate, scale pattern is regular wave and scale distance is near6 . These differences could also be
ascribed to the fact that the hairs taken in the present study are from a leopard cub and the other
studies are possibly from adult hair samples. Panthera pardus hair scale patterns are different from
Panthera uncia where these are oval and circular in shape20 and Panthera onca hair where scale are
described as wave, irregular with disturbed rows and wave12 .
Comparisons of observations on leopard cub hair with those on reported studies on panther or other
cat hairs indicate differences. In Puma concolor the cuticle scale patterns are described as flattened,
irregular, imbricate, with no rows, transverse and wave12,25 or transversal, regular wave, smooth and
near26 . Cuticle scales are longitudinal, smooth and distant in most panther or other cat species except
that in Leopardus wiedii cuticle scales are very elongate petal, Leopardus tigrinus scales are narrow
diamond petal and in Leopardus pardalis scales are broad petal. In other species, scales are
intermediate and broad diamond petal as seen in Leopardus colocolo and Puma yagouaroundi (or
mosaic, rippled) 26 . In Leopardus geoffroyi cuticle scales are intermediate, regular V-shaped wave,
smooth, near. In Panthera onca the scales are transversal, regular wave, smooth and distant26 . Other
study on leopard hair reports transverse scale position, regular wave, cuticular margin on tip region is
rippled and at root region are smooth, cuticular scale pattern distance is near to distant1 . Acinonyx
jubatus (cheetah) hair scales are near, mosaic and smooth18 .
Leopard, tiger and lion hair cuticle scales are distinct and can be differentiated not only on the basis of
shapes of the cuticle scales but also on basis of distance between scales. The authors suggest that the
cuticle scales of domestic cats show coronal pattern and can be easily distinguished from leopard, lion
and tiger hair7 . However, from the present analysis, it appears that leopard cub hair has a greater
similarity of scale patterns with that of the cat scale patterns. This similarity could be attributed to the
fact that the present study is on leopard cub. Therefore, it indicates that while analyzing hairs in felids,
possibly age related factors may also be considered.
Canidae: Domestic dog (Canis familiaris) hair cuticle scales are flattened, irregular, and imbricate
with smooth margins and one to two scales per row. Many scales have depressions in the centre and
margins are near to distant (Fig 4). These observations are similar to study on hair of Canis lupus
familiaris except coronal and spinus11,17 and Lycaon pictus except coronal, petal18 . Comparison of
domestic dog hairs with members of other Canidae family show that though there are similarities in
hair scales with most species; the differences are regarding presence of crenate scales or petal or
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coronal in Canis lupus familiaris11,17 , Lycaon pictus and Otocyon megalotis18 , dentate in Vulpes
bengalensis8 , crenate and diamond petal in Canis aureus6,13 , Canis aureus, Canis lupus posses
flattened scales with slightly crenate margin4 . Comparison of dog hair scales with reported
observations on fox (Vulpes vulpes) indicate that fox hair scales are imbricate unequal hastate with
saw margins at the top region only but smooth at middle and basal region16 , or crenate, close,
irregular, imbricate, mosaic, broad petal, diamond petal, longitudinal, unequal hastate, smooth and
wave12,14,16,19,25 . Thus fox hairs are different from domestic dog hairs.
Figs.-1-4: Cuticle scales in hairs of cat (Fig.-1) (x63 mag.), tiger cub (Fig.-2) (x40 mag.), leopard cub
(Fig.-3) and dog (Fig.-4) (x63 mag.).
Medulla pattern: Domestic cat (Felis domesticus) hair medulla is uniserial ladder and continuous
(Fig.-5). This is similar to medulla in guard hair of Felis chaus, Felis rubiginosa, Felis viverrina 13 . In
Felis silvestris (wild cat) multicellular medulla with fringed margin and spindle-like cells is
reported19 . In the present study, medulla structure of tiger cub hairs is amorphous continuous or may
be fragmental (Fig.-6). Further, some hairs show uniserial ladder like medulla which is similar to
observation in the adult tiger hair24 . Other study shows that tiger hair medulla is amorphous,
continuous and margin is irregular1 and in royal Bengal tiger hairs medulla is continuous, occasionally
vacuolated in coarser hairs23 . The present study shows that medulla is amorphous fragmental and
broad in leopard cub hair (Fig.-7). Other studies report uniserial ladder medulla in fine hair and
transverse lattice in guard hair of Panther pardus13 . Leopard medulla structure is amorphous
fragmental and medulla margin is fringed1 . Medulla is multicellular, intermediate and scalloped in L.
wiedii, L. tigrinus, L. pardalis, L. colocolo, P. yagouaroundi, L. geoffroyi and P. onca but
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multicellular, intermediate, and straight in P. concolor26 . The differences from other studies could be
due to the fact that in the present study cub hairs were used for analysis. Thus, it is possible that age
related changes are present in medulla of hairs from Felidae.
Domestic dog (Canis familiaris) hair medulla is continuous or fragmental amorphous or broad (Fig.8) which is similar to continuous, vacuolated to amorphous and occasionally very broad medulla in
hairs of hunting dog23 . However, it is different from medulla in hairs of Canis aureus lanka where it is
transverse lattice type13 .
Pigment: Pigment is amorphous in cat hair and does not extend up to the cuticle and to some extent
part of the cortex is also without pigmentation (Fig.-5). In tiger cub hairs, pigment is fine, coarse,
scattered and largely does not extend up to cortex. Further, pigment granules and streaks are sparsely
spread (Fig.-6). In leopard cub hairs, the pigment has broader distribution compared to cat and tiger
cub hairs. Further, both longitudinal streaks and granules that are dark brown to light brown in colour
are seen in the entire width of the hair (Fig.-7). These observations are not different from those
reported in different species of family Felidae as another study reports streaky pigments in tiger hairs
and leopard has clear/streaky type pigmentation1 . Pigmentation of dorsal guard hair of F. rubiginosa
is unicolour dark reddish brown or white band at base and middle. Dark grey or black hairs usually
with white or yellow band at base and middle and ventral hairs that are pale grey or white are
observed in Felis chaus and Felis viverrina. Fine hairs that are pale brown or white are seen in Felis
chaus and F. rubiginosa and dark grey in Felis viverrina13 .
Dark brown coarse granules and streaks of pigments are more compared to streaks (very few) in dog
hair. Some pigment granules are also seen in the cortex region as well (Fig.-8). These observations are
not significantly different from other reports where pigment in Canis aureus lanka dorsal guard hair is
unicolour black unicolour brown or brown with black tip. Ventral guard hair is black or white and fine
hair is pale brown or white13 . Very coarse pigment and extending into roots is observed in hunting
dog23 .
Figs.-5-8: Medulla and pigmentation in hairs of cat (Fig.-5), tiger cub (Fig.-6),
leopard cub (Fig.-7) and dog (Fig.-8) (x40 mag.).
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CONCLUSION
The present study shows difference in hair cuticle scale patterns between cat, leopard, tiger and dog
which are significantly distinct in each species except that cat cuticle scales are not significantly
different from leopard cub cuticle scales. Medulla pattern in cat and dog are species specific. Medulla
pattern in leopard and tiger hairs is similar but different from the other two carnivores. This study
indicates that though cuticle scale patterns or medulla may be distinct in the carnivores in the present
study, a combination of both scale patterns and medulla should be consider for identification of hairs.
Besides this, age specific alterations may be possible in cuticle scale patterns and medulla and thus,
these should be considered while examining hairs of carnivores. Further, the hair morphology of
species from Rajasthan does not show significant differences from those described from same species
in other parts of the country. Hence, this indicates that climatic conditions of different region in India
have not had significant impact on hair morphology in these Felids and domestic dog hairs.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
We are thankful to Dr. Priti Singh, Prof. Maheep Bhatnagar and non-teaching staff from Department
of Zoology, ML Sukhadia University, Udaipur (Raj.) who helped in collecting hair samples from the
museum at the department. We are indebted for photography facility and help provided by Prof. MS
Sisodia, former Dean, Faculty of Science, JNVU; Dr. RK Kaul, Principal Scientist, CAZRI, Jodhpur
(Raj.); and his scholars; Prof. Kanika Sharma and her scholars from Biotechnology Department, ML
Sukhadia University, Udaipur (Raj.).
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* Corresponding author: Trivedi S*
Department of Zoology, JN Vyas University, Jodhpur (Raj.) India
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