A key for the identification of the hair of mammals of a snow leopard (Panthera uncia) habitat in Nepal

Analysis of prey remains in scats, particularly hairs, is widely used to study diet of mammalian predators, but identification of hair is often difficult because hair structures vary considerably both within and between species. Use of photographic reference of diagnostically important hair structures from mammals occurring in a predator's habitat has been found to he convenient for routine identification. A photographic reference key was developed for the identification of hairs of the mammals known to occur in a snow leopard ( Panthera uncia ) habit at in the Annapurna Conservation Area, Nepal. The key included a photographic reference of the diagnostic hair structures of nine species of wild and five species of domestic mammals. The cross-sectional appearance, shape and arrangement of medulla, the ratio of cortex to medulla. and the form and distribution of pigment in medulla and cortex were important diagnostic aids in the identification of hairs.     

Architectonic and Diagnostic Significance of Hair Cortex and Medulla

Architectonic of hair and spines was studied in 345 mammalian species using scanning electron microscopy. A consistent terminology and system of hair and spine cortex and medulla is proposed. The significance of the cortex and medulla structural patterns for taxon identification and adaptation to environmental conditions are discussed.     

紫貂和水貂被毛比较形态学研究

研究表明紫貂和水貂被毛的形态高度分化,可分为针毛,中间针毛和绒毛3类。针毛笔直,远端(大约3/4处)皮质高度发育,有良好的耐磨性。中间针毛比针毛短、细,大约有3个弯曲,且髓质含量最高。绒毛最短、细,大约有5个弯曲,髓质也较发达。 扫描电镜下的毛小皮形态可归纳为波纹形,披针形,菱形和倒三角形4种。光镜下的髓质形态可归纳为单柱组型,多柱组型和网型3种。比较分析的结果表明:毛小皮和髓质形态在这两种动物间的差别较明显,具有种的特异性、可作为哺乳动物分类的参考指标。     

The electron histochemical demonstration of cystine-containing proteins in the guinea pig hair follicle

Summary A previously described electron histochemical method for detecting cystine in fully keratinised human hair has been modified for the examination of this amino acid residue amongst the cellular components of anagen guinea pig hair follicles. Using the technique the progressive incorporation of cystine into the hair cuticle and cortex has been observed. Although cystine was absent from the hair medulla and outer root sheath cells at all stages of development, a narrow layer of cystine-containing material was found adjacent to the cell membranes of hardened inner root sheath cells.     

Banded karyotypes of 20 Papionini species reveal no necessary correlation with speciation

The G-banded karyotypes of 20 species of the tribe Papionini are remarkably similar, and the amount of phylogenetic interpretation permitted is limited. The genera Mandrillus and Cercocebus may be linked by a derived chromosome 10. T. gelada may be linked to the macaques by chromosome 2. Chromosome 5, which differs in M. fascicularis, makes this species an unlikely ancestor of the Sulawesi (Celebes) macaques. An alternate hypothesis, which takes into consideration the possibility that ancestral populations may be polymorphic for these chromosome variants, suggests that different chromosome variants have become fixed in different lines. These chromosomes would therefore not reflect phylogenetic relations. In the Papionini the karyotype has not played a major role in diversification and speciation.     

A histological study on the skin and hairs of PC (poor coat) mice

Light microscopic examinations were done on the skin and hairs of PC (poor coat) mice, maintained as an inbred strain at the National Institute of Health, Japan. The structures of the epidermis, dermis, hair root sheath and the sebaceous glands were normal. Hair bulbs and hair papillae were poorly developed at anagen stage of hair cycle. Having scanty medulla, the hairs were thin and short. The hair cuticle appeared normal. These findings suggest that the defective hair growth in PC mice is caused by deficiencies in cell differentiation and/or proliferation in the hair matrix.     

Small structures fabricated using ash-forming biological materials as templates

Different ash-forming biological materials such as gills of mushrooms, cotton wool, silk fiber, spider silk, dog's hair, and human hair were examined as templates to fabricate small structures. Ashes obtained from gills of mushrooms, silk fiber, and spider silk were miniaturized replicas of the original materials, whereas ashes from dog's hair and human hair were tubes. These materials were successfully coated with different inorganic materials by interface-selective sol-gel polymerization. Calcining coated materials yielded structures composed of ash and coated inorganic materials such as silica, titania, copper oxide, aluminum oxide, and iron oxide. Fully calcined ashes from native materials and materials coated with silica were usually 1/3 and 1/5 as large as their original materials, respectively. Silica-ash hybrid materials were much more rigid than ash materials. Incompletely calcined human hairs formed tubes with thick carbonized walls, and their inside morphologies suggested that medulla in human hairs might be responsible for tube formation. Preparation of complex tubular structures was possible as tied hairs did not break during calcination. Results in this study showed biological materials were useful as templates for fabricating inorganic structures regardless of ash formation.     

Comparative chromosome banding studies in the family Cercopithecidae

Comparative banding studies in eight species of the family Cercopithecidae, subfamily Cercopithecinae allowed us to identify the chromosomes that have been conserved and those that have undergone structural changes. The results suggest that while the ancestral karyotype of the Cercopithecini was probably similar to that ofCercopithecus aethiops, the ancestral complement of the cercopithecinae was probably of the type now found in the Papionini. Thus, after their divergence, one of the groups maintained an extremely stable chromosomal complement (Papionini 2n=42) while the other underwent extreme chromosomal rearrangements (Cercopithecini 2n=48–72).     

白唇鹿被毛形态学与高寒环境关系的研究

本文对白唇鹿被毛的形态进行了宏观及扫描电镜的观察研究。结果表明,其被毛仅由针毛组成。针毛的毛径特粗;髓质极发达,髓质指数高达96％;髓质形态为蜂窝状网格型;皮质呈退化状态。针毛具有很强的保温性,是适应高寒环境的重要特征之一。     

Segmental Igfbp5 expression is specifically associated with the bent structure of zigzag hairs

The murine hair coat consists of four different hair types that are characterised by hair length, the number of medulla columns, and the presence and number of bends. The molecular mechanisms underlying the establishment and maintenance of distinct hair follicle fates are unknown. We identify Igfbp5 as the first molecular marker that distinguishes among different hair follicle types. High-resolution expression analysis revealed that its expression in the medulla of hair shafts is associated with the bend-forming zones of zigzag hairs. To directly examine the functional importance of segmental gene expression in the hair follicle, we have generated transgenic mice expressing Igfbp5 in differentiating keratinocytes of the medulla and inner root sheath. Ectopic expression of Igfbp5 resulted in the appearance of remarkable curvatures and thinning of hair shafts, two hallmarks of hair bends. Both effects and the natural bending process are under negative control of IGF signalling. Thus, our data identify Igfbp5 as a central regulator of hair shaft differentiation and hair type determination.     

Age, gender and caste variations in scalp hair micro-morphological variables among Brahmins and Banias of Punjab, India

A cross-sectional sample of 3136 scalp hair drawn from 392 individuals aged 10 to 60 years and belonging to the Bania (n = 201) and Brahmin (n = 191) caste groups of Punjab State of India were examined for diameters of hair shaft and medulla, scale count, medulla type, hair index, medullary index and scale-count index, employing standard procedures. The mean hair shaft diameter, medullary diameter, incidence of medullation and scale-count index was higher in males, while the mean scale count was higher in females. However, with a few exceptions, the gender differences were not statistically significant (p < 0.05). The Brahmins showed significantly (p < 0.05) higher mean values of hair shaft diameter and scale count than the Banias. The mean scale-count index was higher among the Banias. The fragmentary medulla was the most common medullary type among the Banias, while the continuous medulla was the most frequent type of medulla among the Brahmins. The frequency of medullation was significantly more among the Banias. On the average, the hair shaft diameter and diameter of medulla increased up to 30 years. Some age variations in medullation were noticed in both the caste groups. No clear age trend was noticeable in the scale count. By and large, the mean hair shaft diameter of the Banias was less than that of other populations. The mean hair shaft diameter of the Brahmin males was greater than that of the Banias, the Onges, and the Bengalees. The Brahmin females showed greater mean hair shaft diameter than that of the Banias, the Australian Aborigines, the Juangs and the Onges. Human scalp hair shows some age, gender and population variations in micro-morphological variables which have the potential of being useful for anthropological and forensic investigations.     

通河林区黄鼬(Mustela sibirica)冬季被毛形态结构的功能适应性

被毛在哺乳动物适应性进化过程中执行保温和保护两个重要功能,其形态结构上存在的功能适应性特征因所处的部位不同而表现出适应性分化现象,由动物体躯干至四肢末端呈显著的梯度变化。以黑龙江省通河林区黄鼬东北亚种(Mustela sibirica manchurica)冬季雌雄成体各10只完整毛皮对象,研究了背中部、腹中部和后肢下部3个部位的直针毛、披针毛、绒针毛、绒毛,以及后趾部硬毛的被毛性状因子,统计分析表明:通河林区黄鼬相同身体部位4种类型毛的长度和细度指标均为直针毛披针毛绒针毛绒毛,相同部位4种类型毛长度的相关性极显著,直针毛细度与披针毛细度相关性极显著(P0.01),绒针毛细度与绒毛细度相关性极显著(P0.01),这种特征使得被毛在整体结构上为实施保温和保护功能奠定基础;同时,黄鼬被毛各性状的保温功能从背部向后趾部呈递减趋势,而保护功能则呈现递增趋势,被毛形态结构性状上的分化与动物机体异温性充分结合,对于黄鼬适应寒冷的森林生态环境具有重要意义。     

Distinguishing Central African rodents and shrews using their hair morphology

Species identification methods are needed for small mammals. Herein, we present a simple and efficient identification key based on the hair morphology of Central African rodents (Rodentia) and shrews (Soricomorpha). A total of 1,320 museum hair samples from 51 species were analysed with an optical light microscope. One‐third (31.37%) of these samples could be identified to the species level using four morphological characters (medulla, cuticle, size and colour). The remaining species formed nine groups of two to 10 species each which could not be discriminated because of overlapping characteristics between different taxa. In addition, shrew, dormice and squirrel hair samples were clearly distinguishable from the other samples because they were either shorter (0.68 ± 0.19 cm) or longer (1.86 ± 0.3 and 1.85 ± 0.63 cm), respectively. In addition, 19 (43.18%) field‐collected samples of unknown origin were successfully identified to the level of species or group of species. Thus, to increase the efficiency of this identification key, the inclusion of more morphological characteristics (i.e. hair diameter and shape, cuticle index, cortex types) and DNA barcoding should be considered. Finally, the proposed identification key could be used as a simple and efficient tool for species inventories and ecological studies of targeted taxa in Central Africa.     

Morphological characteristics of the hair of Japanese monkeys (Macaca fuscata fuscata): Length,diameter and shape in cross-section,and arrangement of the medulla

A morphological study was carried out on hairs of the Japanese monkey. The shapes in cross-section were circles or ellipses. The diameters of the hairs ranged from 13.5 to 92 μ, and the mean value in each monkey was between about 30 and 40 μ. The average value of the fibre index was approximately 90 in each monkey. The arrangement of the medulla was considered to be of the narrow medulla lattice type. Medullae were developed poorly or disappeared in hairs with a diameter of less than 30 μ. A correlation was noted between the hair thickness and presence of medulla: medullated hairs were thicker than non-medullated hairs. A tendency was found for thicker hairs to be of greater length. The hairs of the Japanese monkey could be divided broadly into two types: medullated hair and non-medullated hair. The medullated hairs could be regarded as guard hair-like hairs since they were thick and long, and the non-medullated hairs as underhair-like hairs since they were thin and short.     

FGF signals specifically regulate the structure of hair shaft medulla via IGF-binding protein 5

Reciprocal interactions between the dermal papilla and the hair matrix control proliferation and differentiation in the mature hair follicle. Analysis of expression suggests an important role for FGF7 and FGF10, as well as their cognate receptor FGFR2-IIIb, in these processes. Transgenic mice that express a soluble dominant-negative version of this receptor in differentiating hair keratinocytes were generated to interfere with endogenous FGF signalling. Transgenic mice develop abnormally thin but otherwise normal hairs, characterised by single columns of medulla cells in all hair types. All structural defects and the accompanying changes of global gene expression patterns are restricted to the hair medulla. Forced transgenic expression of IGF-binding protein 5, whose expression level is elevated upon suppression of FGFR2-IIIb-mediated signalling largely phenocopies the defect of dnFgfr2-IIIb-expressing hairs. Thus, the results identify Igfbp5-mediated FGFR2-IIIb signals as a key regulator of the genetic program that controls the structure of the hair shaft medulla.     

Calcium distributions in human hair by ToF-SIMS

Calcium distributions on internal and external surfaces of longitudinally sectioned hairs were analysed with Time-of-Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (ToF-SIMS). Externally, calcium deposits were observed at the cuticle scale edges. Internal sections showed that the bulk of calcium exists within or just inside the cuticle layer. The medulla may or may not be enriched and other localised concentrations exist in one of two forms; either associated with granular structures or the hair proteins. Calcium appears to show an affinity for proteins with low sulfur content.     

Genetic basis of hair medulla by twin study

Data on the incidence of medulla of human head hair based on 9,600 strands examined from 48 pairs of zygosity — determined German twins were quantified as medullary ratio and subjected to variance analysis to give information about genetic significance of the character concerned. The results of F test and heritability estimate yielded significant values indicating the presence of a strong genetic component of variability in the incidence of medulla of human head hair. Sex influence upon the character is found to be absent.     

Wild Mandrillus sphinx Are Carriers of Two Types of Lentivirus

Mandrillus sphinx, a large primate living in Cameroon and Gabon and belonging to the Papionini tribe, was reported to be infected by a simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) (SIVmndGB1) as early as 1988. Here, we have identified a second, highly divergent SIVmnd (designated SIVmnd-2). Genomic organization differs between the two viral types; SIVmnd-2 has the additional vpx gene, like other SIVs naturally infecting the Papionini tribe (SIVsm and SIVrcm) and in contrast to the other SIVmnd type (here designated SIVmnd-1), which is more closely related to SIVs infecting l'hoest (Cercopithecus lhoesti lhoesti) and sun-tailed (Cercopithecus lhoesti solatus) monkeys. Importantly, our epidemiological studies indicate a high prevalence of both types of SIVmnd; all 10 sexually mature wild-living monkeys and 3 out of 17 wild-born juveniles tested were infected. The geographic distribution of SIVmnd seems to be distinct for the two types: SIVmnd-1 viruses were exclusively identified in mandrills from central and southern Gabon, whereas SIVmnd-2 viruses were identified in monkeys from northern and western Gabon, as well as in Cameroon. SIVmnd-2 full-length sequence analysis, together with analysis of partial sequences from SIVmnd-1 and SIVmnd-2 from wild-born or wild-living mandrills, shows that the gag and pol regions of SIVmnd-2 are closest to those of SIVrcm, isolated from red-capped mangabeys (Cercocebus torquatus), while the env gene is closest to that of SIVmnd-1. pol and env sequence analyses of SIV from a related Papionini species, the drill (Mandrillus leucophaeus), shows a closer relationship of SIVdrl to SIVmnd-2 than to SIVmnd-1. Epidemiological surveys of human immunodeficiency virus revealed a case in Cameroon of a human infected by a virus serologically related to SIVmnd, raising the possibility that mandrills represent a viral reservoir for humans similar to sooty mangabeys in Western Africa and chimpanzees in Central Africa.