Indonesian Bovidae hair characters: macroscopic and microscopic analyses

• Published in: Maejo international journal of science and technology Vol. 18; no. 3; pp. 223 - 234
• Main Authors: Phadmacanty, Ni Luh Putu Rischa, Hasanah, Kalista Siti, Fitriana, Narti, Supriatna, Nanang, Kurnianingsih, Semiadi, Gono
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Chiang Mai Maejo University 01.09.2024
• Subjects: Adaptation; Altitude; Animals; Bos javanicus; Bos taurus; Bovidae; Bubalus depressicornis; Bubalus quarlesi; Cattle; Domestication; Endangered & extinct species; Hair; Livestock; Livestock farming; Males; Morphology; Species; Tropical environment; Tropical environments; Indonesia
• ISSN: 1905-7873; 1905-7873

There are four wild bovid species in Indonesia, banteng (Bos javanicus), mountain anoa (Bubalus quarlesi), lowland anoa (Bubalus depressicornis) and Sumatran serow (Capricornis sumatraensis). The macro- and microscopic features of hair can be used to identify animals. Here, we identified the hair characteristics of Indonesian Bovidae in tropical environments. Hair samples of three wild bovid species, each with five individuals, were collected from the Museum Zoologicum Bogoriense, the National Research and Innovation Agency. Hair samples of domesticated cattle (Bos taurus) were collected from local livestock farms. The hair structure, cuticle scale, medulla structure and cross section were evaluated. The results show that hair structures of all four species vary slightly among species. B. javanicus and B. taurus were straight to curved, whereas C. sumatraensis and B. quarlesi were straight to wavy. The medulla structures of B. javanicus, B. taurus and C. sumatraensis were similar, with a lattice with multicellular composition and a continuous pattern. In B. quarlensi the structure was amorphous with a discontinuous and fragmented pattern. Therefore, the medullary index can be used for species differentiation.