Comparative analysis of hair microstructure in the cave lion (Panthera spelaea): A review
Original studies of the fur of adult males and heterosexual cubs of the cave and African lions and generalization of literature data showed that the hair colour of the cave lion was similar, but not identical to that of the African lion. The fur of Panthera spelaea is distinguished by the presence o...
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2024-12-01
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| Series: | Earth History and Biodiversity |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2950475924000145 |
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| author | Olga F. Chernova |
| author_facet | Olga F. Chernova |
| author_sort | Olga F. Chernova |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Original studies of the fur of adult males and heterosexual cubs of the cave and African lions and generalization of literature data showed that the hair colour of the cave lion was similar, but not identical to that of the African lion. The fur of Panthera spelaea is distinguished by the presence of a thicker and denser undercoat, consisting of numerous tightly closed and compressed wavy downy hairs with a medulla that is not usually characteristic of the undercoat of most mammalian species. The microstructure of the medulla, cortex, and cuticle patterns of the cave and African lions are similar, but the cuticle scales along the stem are higher in the cave lion. In lion cubs of both species, the differences are most pronounced, but in case of them, the fur is not as polymorphic as in adults. The differences between the fur of cave and African lions may be related to the adaptation of the first species to the conditions of the ice age, and the second to a hot climate. Comparison of the hair microstructure of the cave lion with other pantherines and felines revealed a similar specific structure of the medulla and cuticle patterns at the base of the guard hairs in many of the compared species, which confirms the systematic closeness of these taxa. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-1d9001290cf14d458bcfe8e8ef3c4324 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2950-4759 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
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| series | Earth History and Biodiversity |
| spelling | doaj-art-1d9001290cf14d458bcfe8e8ef3c43242025-08-20T01:49:31ZengElsevierEarth History and Biodiversity2950-47592024-12-01210001410.1016/j.hisbio.2024.100014Comparative analysis of hair microstructure in the cave lion (Panthera spelaea): A reviewOlga F. Chernova0The Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Leninsky prospect 33, Moscow 119071, RussiaOriginal studies of the fur of adult males and heterosexual cubs of the cave and African lions and generalization of literature data showed that the hair colour of the cave lion was similar, but not identical to that of the African lion. The fur of Panthera spelaea is distinguished by the presence of a thicker and denser undercoat, consisting of numerous tightly closed and compressed wavy downy hairs with a medulla that is not usually characteristic of the undercoat of most mammalian species. The microstructure of the medulla, cortex, and cuticle patterns of the cave and African lions are similar, but the cuticle scales along the stem are higher in the cave lion. In lion cubs of both species, the differences are most pronounced, but in case of them, the fur is not as polymorphic as in adults. The differences between the fur of cave and African lions may be related to the adaptation of the first species to the conditions of the ice age, and the second to a hot climate. Comparison of the hair microstructure of the cave lion with other pantherines and felines revealed a similar specific structure of the medulla and cuticle patterns at the base of the guard hairs in many of the compared species, which confirms the systematic closeness of these taxa.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2950475924000145Cave lionPantherinesFelinesHair microstructureSEMComparison |
| spellingShingle | Olga F. Chernova Comparative analysis of hair microstructure in the cave lion (Panthera spelaea): A review Earth History and Biodiversity Cave lion Pantherines Felines Hair microstructure SEM Comparison |
| title | Comparative analysis of hair microstructure in the cave lion (Panthera spelaea): A review |
| title_full | Comparative analysis of hair microstructure in the cave lion (Panthera spelaea): A review |
| title_fullStr | Comparative analysis of hair microstructure in the cave lion (Panthera spelaea): A review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Comparative analysis of hair microstructure in the cave lion (Panthera spelaea): A review |
| title_short | Comparative analysis of hair microstructure in the cave lion (Panthera spelaea): A review |
| title_sort | comparative analysis of hair microstructure in the cave lion panthera spelaea a review |
| topic | Cave lion Pantherines Felines Hair microstructure SEM Comparison |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2950475924000145 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT olgafchernova comparativeanalysisofhairmicrostructureinthecavelionpantheraspelaeaareview |