Vol. 12, Issue 8 (2023)

Author(s):
Vinayasheela S, G Purushotham, D Pramod Kumar and M Lakshman

Abstract:
Cross sectional of guard hair of spotted deer varied from oval to round. It was bean shaped in black buck. Medulla was lattice type in spotted deer hair whereas it was non lattice type in black buck hair. SEM studies revealed difference in scale pattern of an individual hair in spotted deer and black buck. Midshaft and base presented flattened imbricate scale pattern while coronal type was seen in tip of the shaft. Margins of the scales were smooth to slightly rippled in mid shaft region and towards the base of the shaft in spotted deer whereas it was smooth in black buck. Trough on surface of hair was an important feature of blackbuck hair that made it easy to differentiate it from that of spotted deer. Medulla consisted of randomly interwoven keratin septa separating numerous air cavities. Medulla is aeriform, non-columnar type of medulla with thin walls was observed in both the species.