LS - An International Journal of Life Sciences
  • Year: 2018
  • Volume: 7
  • Issue: 3

Identification of Dorsal Guard Hair of the Mountain Weasel, Mustela altaica Pallas, 1811, and Siberian Weasel, Mustela sibirica Pallas, 1773 (Mustelidae: Carnivora: Mammalia)

  • Author:
  • Manokaran Kamalakannan1,, Duraikannu Vasanthakumar2, Joy Krishna De3
  • Total Page Count: 5
  • Published Online: Dec 1, 2018
  • Page Number: 137 to 141

1Senior Zoological Assistant, Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata, West Bengal, India

2Senior Zoological Assistant, Zoological Survey of India, Western Regional Centre, Pune, Maharashtra, India

3Scientist-D (Former), Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata, West Bengal, India

*Corresponding author email id: kamalakannanm1@gmail.com

Abstract

The microscopic characteristics of dorsal guard hair of two species mountain weasel, Mustela altaica, and Siberian weasel, Mustela sibirica, were examined. Both the species are significantly varied in the cuticula, medulla and cross-section of the hair. The photo-micrographs and key characteristics of dorsal guard hair (provided here) can be used as an appropriate reference for species identification.

Keywords

Mustela altaica, Mustela sibirica, Dorsal guard hair, Biconvex, Oblong