Characterization of dorsal guard hair of the wild goats and sheep (Bovidae: Caprinae) occurring in the Himalaya and Western Ghats of India

Abstract

The morphological and microscopic characteristics of dorsal guard hair of six species of the Indian goat-antelopes are described. Although the cuticular characteristics of hair of all the six species studied are similar, the morphological, medulla and transverse section characteristics of hair are varied between the species. The hair of Indian caprines can easily be identified on the basis of their unique medulla and transverse section. The high-resolution microphotographs and key characteristics of hair are presented here and can be used as an appropriate reference for species identification of the wild goats and sheep occurring in the Himalaya and Western Ghats of India.

Keywords

• argali
• bharal
• caprines
• himalayan goral
• himalayan serow
• himalayan tahr
• nilgiri tahr
• morphological characteristics
• microscopic characteristics
• tricho-taxonomy