Species Identification Hair Notes 4.2

Identification of Mammals The scale pattern on a hair is one of the important identifying characteristics and can almost always be used as a species “finger print”. Every species has its own scale pattern. Only with practice and skill can scale pattern slides (acrylic casts) be created Medulary patterns Your job is to make a set of reference slides of at least 5 different species.

Panthera leo, The African Lion The body color is uniform, with a buff to white underside. The coloring can range from a yellowish-red to a silver-gray. Notice the continuous medulla.

Panthera leo, The African Lion Casts were made of the hairs using clear nail polish. Notice the irregular mosaic pattern of the scales. The margins appear to be relatively smooth and near to one another

Pongo pygmaeus, Orangutan From its name one may guess that orangutan comes from the word orange; this is incorrect. “Orangutan” is a Malay word for “forest people” or “man of the forest”. Their coloring is anywhere between orange to reddish-orange to maroon.

Pongo pygmaeus, Orangutan Casts were made of the hairs using clear nail polish. notice the prominent, irregular wave pattern

Callorhinus ursinus, Northern Fur Seal They have tiny hairs covering their entire body to help keep them warm. They are usually brownish-gray to silver in color. Notice the unusual lattice medulla, along with a suggestion of the scale pattern.

Callorhinus ursinus, Northern Fur Seal Casts were made of the hairs using clear nail polish. Notice the distinct diamond petal scale pattern

Species you can observe in this lab include: Mule deer Arctic Fox Badger Horse (Mane and Body) Raccoon Elk Beaver

In the lab, Create: 1.An acrylic permanent slide Draw and Record color and Identify Medulla Pattern 2.An acrylic cast: Draw and record the cuticle pattern Include written description 3. Place in a blue slide box with your and your partner’s name.