Abstract
Patterns of cuticular scales on the shaft of the guard hairs of spotted deer (Axis axis.), hog deer (Axis porcinus), samber (Cervus unicolor), roe deer-7—(tapreolus capreolus), neilgai (Boselaphus tragocamel), black buck (Antilope cervicapra), chinkara (Gazella gaz0A), and urial (Ovis orientalis) were studied. The cuticular scale patterns were diagnostic and easily led to species identification. Data on the total length and maximum diameter of the shaft of the guard hairs were also documented.
INTRODUCTION
The cuticular scale patterns of the guard hairs have been used by a number of workers (Mathiak, 1938; Mayer, 1952; Stains, 195S) to prepare field guides for the identification of mammals. Such guides are particularly useful in knowing the importance of prey mammals in the diet of their predators. The hair being a keratinous structure passes undamaged through the alimentary canal of predators and hence the cuticular configuration of hairs present in the scats of predators can be used for identifying the mammalian preys eaten by the predators. This paper describes the cuticular configuration of the guard hairs of four cervids, namely, spotted deer (Axis axis), hog deer (Axis porcinus), samber (Cervk.is unicolor), and roe deer (Capreolus capreolusTand four bovids, namely, neilgai (Boselaphus tragocamelus), black buck (Antilope cervicapra), chinkara (Gazella azella tad urial (Ovis orientalis).
