Identification of dorsal guard hairs of the species of Indian lesser cats (Carnivora: Felidae)

Publication Type:Journal Article
Year of Publication:1999
Authors:Chakraborty, R, Chakraborty, S, De, JK
Journal:Mammalia
Volume:63
Date Published:1999
Keywords:Caracal caracal, CARNIVORA, Felidae, Felis chaus, Lynx lynx, MAMMALIA
Abstract:

Macro and microscopic characteristics of the dorsal guard hairs of eleven species of Indian lesser cats have been studied. Except for Felis chaus and Lynx lynx all the species have straight, shielded and spatulate guard hairs. The genera Prionailurus, Lynx and Catopuma have 'Unbroken cellular' type of medulla; Otocolobus and Caracal have 'Unbroken amorphous' type; 'Uniserial ladder' and 'Unbroken vacuolated' type in Pardofelis and Neofelis respectively. While in two species of the genus Felis, two different types viz, 'Uniserial ladder' and 'Unbroken vacuolated' are found. All the genera could be distinguished on the basis of medullary index along with medullary configuration. Profile and size of dorsal guard hairs, scale pattern, scale margin and scale count, are among the features which may be used in the specific identification. Keys to the identification of different genera and species of the lesser cats are included.

Taxonomic name: 
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