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Morphological Study on the Coat Hair in Golden Takin
Yutaka Kawahara1,2, Michiko Okada3, Naoya Kawahara4
1Division of Environmental Engineering Science, Gunma University, Kiryu, Gunma, Japan.
Animal Science Journal = Nihon Chikusan Gakkaiho
|November 30, 2025
Summary
Golden takin coat hairs feature unique structures, including a thick, medullated center in outer hairs, aiding survival in harsh environments. These adaptations, including fine crimping in undercoat hairs, help maintain vital body temperature during cold winters.
Area of Science:
- Zoology
- Materials Science
- Biophysics
Background:
- Golden takins (Budorcas taxicolor bedfordi) inhabit harsh environments, necessitating specialized adaptations for thermoregulation.
- Understanding coat hair structure is crucial for explaining animal survival strategies in extreme climates.
- Comparative analysis with domestic cattle provides a baseline for evaluating unique takin adaptations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the coat hair structure of golden takins with that of cattle.
- To investigate the morphological and structural features of takin coat hairs using microscopy and X-ray diffraction.
- To elucidate how these structural features contribute to thermoregulation in challenging environmental conditions.
Main Methods:
- Morphological examination of coat hair samples from golden takins and cattle.
- Structural analysis using wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) measurements.
- Microscopic observation of longitudinal hair sections to analyze internal structures.
Main Results:
- Golden takin overcoat hairs possess a continuous, thick medullated tissue with air spaces or wax-like granules, while undercoat hairs are finely crimped and lack medullation.
- WAXD analysis of summer coat hairs revealed typical alpha-keratin peaks and additional scattering peaks associated with the beta-prime crystal form of fats.
- The observed hair morphologies suggest a significant role in maintaining vital body temperature during harsh winters.
Conclusions:
- The specialized coat hair structure of golden takins, particularly the medullated outer hairs and crimped undercoat, provides effective insulation.
- These adaptations are key to the species' survival and thermoregulation in cold, harsh environments.
- The presence of fat crystals in summer coat hairs may indicate additional roles or seasonal variations in hair structure.
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