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NZ Pig dog Canis familiaris: hair from live adults

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This factsheet assists in the identification of sample hairs from an adult NZ pig dog.

Most diagnostic features for this species

  1. Pig dog. Image: © Department of Conservation

    Pig dog. Image: © Department of Conservation

    Medulla of guard hairs can vary from simple with scattered globular vacuoles to very fine wide lattice.
  2. Cross-section usually a mix of circular and oval shapes.
  3. Large diameter

Sample

Description: Body hair from adult live pig dogs, "Boss", "Lightning", "Rangi"

Sample origin: Waikirikiri, Bay of Plenty

Hair profile

Maximum diameter observed (μm): 65-100 (guard hair), 45-55 (underhair)

Colour: Black, brown, white

Microscopic features

Pig dog. Guard hair medulla: wide, simple or possibly lattice. Image: Bronwyn Lowe Image
Pig dog. Guard hair medulla: wide, simple or possibly lattice. Image: Bronwyn Lowe
Pig dog. Guard hair medulla: wide lattice (viewed with crossed polars gives greater detail). Image: Bronwyn Lowe Image
Pig dog. Guard hair medulla: wide lattice (viewed with crossed polars gives greater detail). Image: Bronwyn Lowe
Pig dog. Guard hair medulla: wide lattice (viewed with crossed polars gives greater detail). Image: Bronwyn Lowe Image
Pig dog. Guard hair medulla: wide lattice (viewed with crossed polars gives greater detail). Image: Bronwyn Lowe
Pig dog. Guard hair medulla: wide lattice (viewed with crossed polars gives greater detail). Image: Bronwyn Lowe Image
Pig dog. Guard hair medulla: wide lattice (viewed with crossed polars gives greater detail). Image: Bronwyn Lowe
Pig dog. Guard hair scales mid shaft: irregular wave, near to distant separation, crenate margins. Image: Bronwyn Lowe Image
Pig dog. Guard hair scales mid shaft: irregular wave, near to distant separation, crenate margins. Image: Bronwyn Lowe
Pig dog. Guard hair scales mid shaft: irregular mosaic, near to distant separation, smooth margins. Image: Bronwyn Lowe Image
Pig dog. Guard hair scales mid shaft: irregular mosaic, near to distant separation, smooth margins. Image: Bronwyn Lowe
Pig dog. Guard hair scales mid shaft: irregular wave or mosaic, near to distant separation, smooth margins. Image: Bronwyn Lowe Image
Pig dog. Guard hair scales mid shaft: irregular wave or mosaic, near to distant separation, smooth margins. Image: Bronwyn Lowe
Pig dog. Underhair scales mid shaft: broad to diamond petal, near to distant separation, smooth margins. Image: Bronwyn Lowe Image
Pig dog. Underhair scales mid shaft: broad to diamond petal, near to distant separation, smooth margins. Image: Bronwyn Lowe
Pig dog. Underhair medulla: wide lattice. Image: Bronwyn Lowe Image
Pig dog. Underhair medulla: wide lattice. Image: Bronwyn Lowe
Pig dog. Underhair medulla: wide lattice (viewed with crossed polars). Image: Bronwyn Lowe Image
Pig dog. Underhair medulla: wide lattice (viewed with crossed polars). Image: Bronwyn Lowe
Pig dog. Typical root shape. Image: Bronwyn Lowe Image
Pig dog. Typical root shape. Image: Bronwyn Lowe

Citation

Lowe B, Wehi PM. 2017. New Zealand hair identification factsheets: NZ Pig dog: Hair from live adults
https://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/tools-and-resources/identification/hair-sample-identification-and-factsheets/hair-from-animal-or-animal-skin/nz-pig-dog-live-adults
Accessed: 17 November 2020