Architectonics of the hairs of the woolly mammoth and woolly rhino

Abstract

SEM studies of hairs of two individuals of the woolly rhinoceros (rhino) Coelodonta antiquitatis and six individuals of the woolly mammoth Mammuthus primigenius, and hairs of matted wool (“wads”) of a possible woolly mammoth and/or woolly rhinoceros (X-probe) showed that coloration and differentiation of the hair, hair shaft shape, cuticle ornament and cortical structure are similar in both species and in the X-probe. The cortex has numerous longitudinal slits, which some authors misinterpret as medullae. In both species, the medulla is degenerative and does not affect the insulation properties of the hairs. Nevertheless its architectonics, occasionally discernible in thick hairs, is a major diagnostic for identification of these species. The hair structure of rhino is similar to that of the vibrissae of some predatory small mammals and suggests increased resilience. The X-probe contained numerous the woolly mammoth hairs, a few hairs of the woolly rhino and ancient bison Bison spp. The morphological identification of these mammals hairs is confirmed by genomic sequencing. The multi-layered long fur (not the architectonic of hairs) was a major adaptation of the woolly mammoth and woolly rhino to a cold climate.