Int. J. Life. Sci. Scienti. Res., 4(6): 2059-2065, November 2018

 

Study on the Guard Hair of Some Domesticated Ungulate Species of the Saurashtra Region of the Gujarat, India

 

Vibhuti B. Raval¹*, Bhupat B. Radadia¹, Ashvinkumar H. Italiya²

 

¹Department of Biology, Shree M. & N. Virani Science College, Saurashtra University, Rajkot, Gujarat, India

²Biology Department, Regional Forensic Science Laboratory, Junagadh, Gujarat, India

 

^*Address for Correspondence: Ms. Vibhuti B. Raval, Research Scholar, Department of Biology, Shree M. & N. Virani Science College, Saurashtra University, Rajkot, Gujarat, India

 

ABSTRACT- The study was carried out to recognize the domesticated species belonging to the family Bovidae by their specific macro-microscopic features of dorsal guard hair characteristics. Nowadays the domesticated animals played a vital role in the dairy industry and in providing easy prey-base for the various top predators which found to occur throughout the Gujarat area including protected and non-protected areas. In this, we collected control hair samples from the various cattle owners distributed in whole Saurashtra region of the Gujarat State in the year 2018. The total randomly picked up one hundred twenty guard hairs from a dorsal region of the four different cattle species were analyzed under microscopes to avail authenticated and the photographic evidence for the further carnivore scat analysis through this key. In this study, we used the recognizable qualitative and quantitative features of cuticle as well as medulla of the hair. Medullary Index (MI) found higher in domesticated Sheep 0.93±0.01, followed by Water Buffalo 0.9±0.02, followed by domesticated Goat 0.77±0.01, which further followed by domesticated Cow 0.5±0.10 µm with lower MI. In this study we used the identifiable qualitative and quantitative features of Cuticle as well as Medulla.

Key words: Guard Hair, Ungulates, Domesticated Bovid, Protected Areas, Predatory Carnivore, Qualitative and Quantitative

 

INTRODUCTION

Mammal hairs play a significant role in thermoregulation, body shape maintenance, waterproofing and protection from the variety of pollution. The scientific study of the hair is called as trichology and this field originated in the mid-1800s. In fact, identification of mammal hair was earlier performed by ^[1]. There are mainly two types of mammalian hair found: Guard hairs that are usually thick and bristly and fine hairs which are curled and thin comparatively ^[2].

Hair analyses through their morphological cuticular scale and medullary features have been widely used to distinguish among mammalian species of interest largely in the different field of Science. The domesticated ungulates comprise the order Artiodactyla (even-toed) and family Bovidae. 

It was one of old but become advanced with the latest instrument and technology of this modern era. It is the best effective techniques widely used in the forensic as well as in the field of ecology. The distinctive MI for each species is very much suitable for species confirmation and useful to identify unknown hair samples as well as for the study of the feeding ecology of large carnivore animals by their scat analysis within and around the protected areas. The scale count and scale pattern also found to be species-specific and therefore beneficial to identify the hair of unknown species with the help of all external and internal morphological features of the hair ^[3].

MATERIALS AND METHODS- In existing study, guard hairs of the four different domesticated bovine animals were thoroughly evaluated in the RFSL, during the year of 2018. The guard hairs were selected from animal species belonging to the family Bovidae with different genus (Jafrabadi Water Buffalo, Gir Cow, Gohilwadi Goat, and Patanvadi Sheep). For almost a century, compound and comparison microscopes remained the only reliable tools for the microscopic identification of characteristics found in animal hair ^[4].

All the control guard hairs were collected separately and labeled further from the different cattle owners. After collection of hairs of each species were properly washed in running water for few times to remove dirt. Accordingly total one hundred twenty hairs of four domesticated bovine species were cleaned and degreased in acetone. Then randomly picked up thirty hairs from each species were examined. First, each hair was embedded in Gelatin layered microscopic slide (or Nail paint) for scale imprinting. Then it was analyzed for microscopic features using ZEISS, Fluorescence light microscope. The microscope has inbuilt measurement software with the camera attachment namely: Axiocam Imager. First studied under 10X view, then in 40X view for detailed morphometric study.

The morphological external features of the hair shaft were recorded with suitable details and measurement. Later internal morphological features of the hair medulla were studied previously and recorded separately in the data book. On the basis of all external and internal morphological as well as quantitative features of the guard hair, each species confirmation was made. To distinguish the species, several differencing aspects of hair were to be considered to achieve the confidence limit.

RESULTS- Various morphological and quantitative features of the guard Hair of four domesticated species of family Bovidae studied in detail. The mean value as well as standard deviation regarding various features of hair shaft and medulla are given in below Tables.

Table 1: Systematic position and conservation status of four domesticated cattle

S. No.	Species	Order	Family	Genus
1	Gir cow	Artiodactyla	Bovidae	Bos
2	Jafrabadi water buffalo	Artiodactyla	Bovidae	Bubalus
3	Gohilwadi goat	Artiodactyla	Bovidae	Apra
4	Patanvadi sheep	Artiodactyla	Bovidae	Ovis

 

Table 2: Different factors of Hair of the four domesticated ungulate species of Saurashtra

S. No.	Species	Mean length of hair (cm)	Average diameter of hair shaft (µm)	Average diameter of medulla (µm)	Medullary Index (µm)
1	Gir cow	1.11	19.75	10.97	0.5 ±0.10
2	Jafrabadi buffalo	7.63	51.6	45.9	0.9±0.02
3	Gohilwadi goat	2.33	45.01	34.66	0.77±0.01
4	Patanvadi sheep	4.13	36.93	19.4	0.93±0.01

 

Different Medullary Index (MI) of the four domesticated ungulate species along with the standard error given (Fig. 1).

Fig. 1: Medullary Index (Mean±SE) of hairs domesticated ungulates of Saurashtra

Various morphological and quantitative features of the guard Hair of four domesticated species of family Bovidae studied in detail. The mean value, as well as standard deviation regarding various features of hair shaft and medulla are given in Table 3 (Fig. 5).

Table 3: Morphological features of Hair of the four domesticate Bovine species

S. No.	Species	Medulla pattern	Scale pattern	Color of hair	Hair surface
1	Gir cow	Simple medulla (Amorphous)	Regular & irregular wave	White, brown /black	Smooth
2	Jafrabadi buffalo	Simple medulla (Amorphous)	Streaked	Black	Rough
3	Gohilwadi goat	Narrow medulla	Regular & irregular wave	White, brown /black	Smooth
4	Patanvadi sheep	Wide medulla	Regular wave	White & brown	Smooth

Fig. 2: Scale and Medulla pattern of the hair of Gir cow

Fig. 3: Scale and Medulla patterb of the hair of Jafrabadi buffalo

Fig. 4: Scale and Medulla pattern of the hair of Gohilwadi goat

Fig. 5: Scale and Medulla pattern of the hair of Patanvadi sheep

DISCUSSION

Systematic position and conservation status- All the four domesticated species belonging to the single order Artiodactyla and similar family Bovidae. All four domesticated cattle species acquire different genus and species. The Gir Cow belongs to genus Bos and Jafrabadi Water Buffalo belong to genus Bubalus, while Gohilwadi Goat belongs to Apra genus and Patanvadi Sheep belong to genus Ovis respectively. Further randomly picked thirty dorsal guard hairs of each species thoroughly evaluated under the microscope (Table 1).

Mean value of MI, Shaft, Medulla and whole hair- The medullary index is the specialized feature of the hair. Every species of the mammals can be identified on the basis of their medullary features (Table 2, Fig. 1).  Maximum MI found in Patanvadi Sheep (0.93±0.01 µm), followed by Jafrabadi Water Buffalo (0.9±0.02 µm), followed by Gohilwadi Goat (0.77±0.01 µm), which further followed by Gir Cow (0.5±0.10 µm) as lowest comparatively. MI is the specialized feature of the guard hair. Each and every species of the mammals can be identified on the basis of their medullary index (Table 2, Fig. 1).  

Morphological features of the hair- There are a number of important morphological features to be considered for the identification and confirmation of the hair for an unknown species. The Gir cow and Jafrabadi Buffalo have simple type of medulla whereas Gohilwadi Goat has narrow medulla and Patanvadi Sheep has wide medulla comparatively (Table 3, Fig. 2, 3, 4 & 5).  The scale pattern of the Gir Cow and Gohilwadi Goat found to be similar but Patanvadi Sheep has regular wave pattern instead. The Jafrabadi buffalo has unique streaked scale pattern which is completely distinguishing it from other three domesticated species ^[4].

CONCLUSIONS- On the basis of morphological features like hair color, texture, Cuticle scale type and medulla type along with the several measuring features of the hair such as medulla diameter, shaft diameter and MI to identify, and confirm the hair of the species from four different domesticated bovine species. Mostly from the above four bovids, Jafrabadi Water buffalo has streaked scale pattern with Simple and wide medulla, while Gir Cow and Gohilwadi Goat shows similar Regular and irregular wave pattern. In Patanvadi Sheep has regular wave pattern of the scale with wide medulla. Whereas Gir Cow has Simple amorphous medulla and Gohilwadi Goat shows narrow medulla type. On another hand the quantitative features of the guard hair of animal species are distinctive and species-specific. On the basis of medulla type, only water buffalo shows distinctive scale type out of four species of domesticated bovine. The maximum MI percentage found in Patanvadi Sheep, followed by Jafrabadi Water Buffalo, followed by Gohilwadi Goat, followed by Gir Cow with lowest comparatively.  The quantitative features of the guard hair of animal species are distinctive and species-specific. These differential features of the hair are largely suitable and authenticated, hence broadly used in the various field namely: ecology, field of forensic science, field of wildlife and Ethology for the hair identification of species of interest. By using this hair identification key it can be easier and suitable to identify and confirm the species largely to know feeding ecology of carnivore animals in both protected and non-protected areas. It can be easily applicable for hair identification in case of human-carnivore conflict study.

 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS- Authors are grateful to Dr. A. P. Singh, Chief Conservator of Forest, Junagadh for his encouragement and supports for the study. Our sincerely thank to the laboratory officials and technicians like Mr. V. O. Yadav, Mr. M. S. Chand, and Mr. M. Joshi for their help during the laboratory investigation of sample specimens.

 

CONTRIBUTION OF AUTHORS-

Research concept- Vibhuti B. Raval

Research design- Vibhuti B. Raval

Supervision- Ashvinkumar H. Italiya

Materials- Ashvinkumar H. Italiya

Data collection and processing- Vibhuti B. Raval

Data analysis and interpretation- Vibhuti B. Raval

Literature search- Vibhuti B. Raval

Writing article- Vibhuti B. Raval

Critical review- Bhupat B. Radadia

Article editing- Vibhuti B. Raval 

Final approval- Bhupat B. Radadia

 

REFERENCES

1.      Hausman L. Structural characteristics of the hair of mammals. Am. Nat., 1920; 54: 239-246.

2.      Lee E, Cho T, Woo D, Min M, Sugita S, Lee H. Species identification key of Korean Mammal hair. Wildlife Science, 2014; 76 (5): 667-675.

3.      Italiya, Ashvinkumar H, Ansari N, Menon SK. Non destructive techniques for individualizing porcupine quillthrough trace evidence analysis. International Journal of Current Advanced Research, 2017; 6(12): 8228-8232.

4.      Tridico S. Examination, analysis and application of hair in forensic science-animal hair. Forensic Science Review, 2016; 17(1): 17-28.

5.      Wallis RL. A key for the identification of guard hairs of some Ontario Mammals. Can. J. Zool., 1993; 71: 587-591.

6.      Ancalungu, Recordati C, Ferrazzi V, Gallazzi D. Image analysis of Animal Hair: Morphological Features Useful in forensic Veterinary medicine, 2007; 40: 439-444.

7.      Bahuguna A, Sahajpal V,Goyal SP, Mukherjee SK,  Thakur V. Species Identification from Guard Hair of selected Indian Mammals, Reference guide, Wildlife Institute of India, 2010.

8.      De JK, Chakraborty R. Identification of dorsal guard hairs of nine species of the family Bovidae (Artiodactyla: Mammalia). Rec. Zool. Surv., India, 2012; 112(2): 39-52.

9.      Adorjan AS, Kolenosky GB. A manual for the identification of hairs of selected Ontario mammals. Department of Lands and Forests Research Report, 1969; 90.

10.  Amman BR, Owen RD, Bradley RD. Utility of hair structure for taxonomic discrimination in bats, with an example from the bats of Colorado. Occass Pap., 2002; 216: 1-16.

11.  Marinis AMD, Asprea A. Hair identification key of wild and domestic ungulates from southern Europe. Wildlife Biology, 2005; 12(3): 305-320.

12.  Audoly B, Pomeau Y. Elasticity and geometry: from hair curls to the nonlinear response of shells. Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK, 2006.

13.  Brunner H, Comnna B. The identification of mammalian hair, Shanghai Printing Press Ltd., Hong Kong, 1974.

14.  Chernova of Architec tonic and diagnostic significance of hair cuticle. Biol Bull., 2002; 29:                   238-247.

15.  Marinis AMD, Asprea A. Hair identification key of wild and domestic ungulates from southern Europe. Wildl. Biol., 2006; 12: 305-320.

16.  De JK. Study of surface structure of hair of some primates of Indian subcontinent. Rec. Zool. Surv., India, 1993; 93: 31-34.

17.  Felix GA, Piovezan U, Quadros J, Juliano RS, Alves FV, Fioravanti MCS. Thricology for identifying mammal species and breeds: its use in research and agriculture. Archivos de Zootecnia, 2014; 63: 107-116.

18.  Hicks JW. Microscopy of hairs: a practical guide and manual. Federal Bureau of Investigation US, Government Printing Office, Washington DC, 1977.

19.  Houck MM, Budowle B. Correlation of microscopic and mitochondrial DNA hair comparisons. Journal of Forensic Science, 2002; 47: 964-967.

20.  Joshi HR, Gaikwad SA, Tomar MPS, Shrivastava K. Comparative trichology of common wild herbivores of India. Advances in Applied Science Research, 2012; 36: 3455–3458.

21.  Keogh HJ. An atlas of hair from southern African mammal species with reference to its taxonomic and ecological significance. (PhD Thesis). Pretoria, Republic of South Africa, Faculty of Science University of Pretoria, 1979.

22.  Teerink BJ. Hair of west European mammals: atlas and identification. Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 1991; pp:  232.

23.  Keogh HJ. A photographic reference system of the microstructure of the hair of southern African bovids. S. Afr. J. Wildl. Res., 1983; 13: 89-132.

24.  Koppikar BR, Sabnis JH. Identification of hairs of some Indian mammals. J. Bombay Natural History Society, 1975; 73: 5-20.

25.  Moore TD, Spence LE, Dugnolle CE. Identification of the dorsal guard hairs of some mammals of Wyoming. Game and Fish Department, Wyoming, 1974; 177.

26.  Mukherjee S, Goyal SP, Chellam R. Refined techniques for the analysis of Asiatic lion Panthera leo persica scats. Acta Theriologica, 1994; 39(4): 425-430.

27.  Nath S, Joseph JJ. Preparation of a key for identification animals by the structure of their hair. FRI. 16p 3^rd Diploma course, 1981.

28.  Palenik S. Light microscopy of medullary micro-structure in hair identification. Microscope, 1983; 31: 129-137.

29.  Short HL. Analysis of cuticular scales on hair using the scanning electron microscope. J. Mammal, 1978; 59: 261-268.