Morphology of the Hairs in the Goat-Breed Capra prisca

Abstract

The morphology of the guard and wool hairs in the Greek Goat (Capra prisca) was described and studied using Scanning Electron Microscopy. The diameter of wool hairs ranged from 10-12 mu m, whereas the guard hairs possessed diameters ranging from 45-130 mu m. The majority of guard hairs were medullated. The cuticle pattern of guard and wool hairs was of the non-annular type. The scale's number as well as the scale's configuration of guard hairs varied accordingly to their diameter. The morphological features of hairs compared with the existing data of other goat breeds. This information could be useful for hair identification of this mammalian species.