Hair specimen: Rattus rattus (Ship rat, black rat): Hair from study skin
Most diagnostic features for this species:
1. Distinctive concave-convex bi-lobed medulla in cross-section. 2. Hairs mostly white at base. 3. Large medulla.
Sample
Description: Range of hairs from adult study skin
Sample origin: Brunner and Coman 1974 "The identification of mammalian hair". Melbourne, Australia: Inkata Press
Hair profile
General shape: Guard hairs straight to simple curve with distal shield region. Underhairs slightly wavy
Length (mm): maximum 20
Maximum diameter observed (μm): 240
Colour: White at base changing to black along the shaft
Microscopic features
Medulla: Wide aeriform lattice (magnification 468x)
Guard hair scales, shield region: Broad petal, smooth margins, distant separation (magnification 468x)
Guard hair scales, mid-shaft region: Diamond petal, smooth margins, near separation (magnification 468x)
Cross sections of guard (G) and overhairs (O) (magnification 468x)
Citation
Lowe B, Wehi PM. 2017. New Zealand hair identification factsheets: Ship rat, black rat: Hair from study skin
www.landcareresearch.co.nz/hair-identification
Accessed: 28 April 2024