The use of scanning electron microscopic features of the cuticular scales of hairs as a means to identify tamaraw (Bubalus mindorensis Heude 1888) from carabao (Bubalus bubalis Linnaeus)

Professorial Chair Lecture

Metro Manila Commission Professorial Chair Lecture

Place

University of the Philippines Los Banos, College, Laguna

Date

6-23-1997

Abstract

The surface morphology of the hair from some regions of the body of the tamaraw and carabao were examined using a scanning electron microscope. In both animals, the hairs from the head, thoracic region, forelimb, abdomen, inguinal region and tail showed a serrate coronal pattern. The cuticular scales in the tamaraw were generally oblique in orientation while in the carabao, the cuticular scales were transversely oriented. The dorsal margins of the scales in the tamaraw were smooth to irregular but were highly irregular or serrated in the carabao. In both animals, the cuticular scales were classified as large. However, the distance between the dorsal margin of the cuticular scales was wider in the carabao than in the tamaraw. The cuticular scales in the tamaraw were highly stacked but were only moderate stacked in the carabao. The study revealed that the tamaraw can be identified from the carabao by the scale orientation (oblique in tamaraw and transverse in carabao), appearance of the dorsal margins of the scales (Smooth to serrate in the tamaraw and highly serrated in the carabao), and density of the cuticular scales (highly packed in the tamaraw and only moderately packed in the carabao). For a more accurate identification, however, the medullary pattern of the hairs of the two animals should also be investigated. There might also be a difference between the color and the size of the hair of the tamaraw and the carabao. This is also worth looking into.

Location

UPLB Main Library Special Collections Section (USCS)

College

College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM)

Language

English

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