Morphological and histological features of the integument of the New Zealand sea lion Phocarctos hookeri |
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| Authors: | Marjorie B. Orr E. J. Kirk M. W. Cawthorn |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Animal Health Laboratory , Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries , Private Bag, Palmerston North , New Zealand;2. Invermay Animal Health Laboratory , Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries , Private Bag, Mosgiel , New Zealand;3. Department of Physiology and Anatomy , Massey University , Palmerston North , New Zealand;4. Fisheries Research Division , Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries , P.O. Box 297, Wellington , New Zealand |
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| Abstract: | Abstract Morphological and histological features of the integument of 2 Hooker’s sea lions, obtained dead in February, were examined. In a 3- week-old pup there were 7 rows of mystacial vibrissae, comprising 40 on the left side of the muzzle and 38 on the right. In the skin of the torso the guard hairs were in the quiescent phase of their growth cycle. In a 2½-year-old specimen a moult was imminent; guard hairs in quiescent follicles were about to be displaced by fibres in developing follicles. Histological features of the older sea lion, which may have been age-related, were coarser collagen bundles in the reticular layer of the dermis and a greater number of secondary follicles. In guard hair follicles of both animals the sweat gland duct opened above the sebaceous gland duct. |
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| Keywords: | Phocarctos hookeri integument vibrissa pelage hair follicle sweat gland sebaceous gland morphology histology |
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