Seasonal moulting patterns in three fur bearing mammals: the European badger (Meles meles L.), the red fox (Vulpes vulpes L.), and the mink (Mustela vison). A morphological and histological study

Abstract

1986. Seasonal moulting patterns in three fur bearing mammals:the European badger (Meles meles L.). the red fox (Vulpes vulpes L.), and the mink (Mustela vison). A morphological and histological study. Can. J. Zool. 64: 1757-1764 Seasonal changes in the fur of three species of mammals at the adult stage, the European badger, the red fox, and the mink, were studied in the field. The badger had only one seasonal change of pelage during the summer and the fall (from July to December), and there was no seasonal variation of hair density. The fox moulted in the spring (between the end of April and the end of August) and again in the fall, but the fall change consisted only in the regrowth of a new fine undercoat that combined with the summer fur to form a denser winter coat. In the mink, the spring and fall moults were very distinct and gave rise to characteristic summer and winter coats that differed in density and number of fine hairs per surface unit. The histological study revealed a similarity in skin composition among the three species, but the relative importance of the different components (sebaceous glands, adipose tissue, keratine layer) varied with each species' way of life. Seasonal follicular activity was correlated with seasonal regrowth of the pelage; the active anagen phase was very long (badger, 5 months; fox, 4 months; mink, 2 months in the spring and 3 months in the fall). During the other part of the annual cycle, telogen, the hair follicles were in a resting phase. Differences in the annual moulting processes between the three species are discussed in terms of adaptive characteristics.[Journal translation] MAUREL, D., C. COUTANT, L. BOISSIN-AGASSE et J. BOISSIN. 1986. Seasonal moulting patterns in three fur bearing mammals: the European badger (Meles meles L.), the red fox (Vulpes vulpes L.), and the mink (Mustela vison). A morphological and histological study. Can. J. Zool. 64: 1757-1764. L'Ctude du changement saisonnier du pelage a Ct C rCalisCe chez trois mammiferes sauvages, le blaireau, le renard et le vison, adultes, dans leur environnement naturel. Chez le blaireau il existe un seul renouvellement saisonnier du pelage en Ct C et en automne (de juillet a dCcembre) et il n'y a donc pas de variation saisonniere de la densite du pelage. Chez le renard, le renouvellement du pelage se caracterise par une mue de printemps (de fin avril a fin ao0t) et une mue d'automne qui consiste seulement en une repousse de poils de bourre qui vient Ctoffer le pelage d' CtC donnant ainsi un pelage d'hiver plus dense. Chez le vison les deux mues (printemps et automne) sont bien distinctes, mettant en place respectivement le pelage d' CtC et le pelage d'hiver diffCrenciCs par la densite et le nombre de poils de bourre par unite de surface.L'Ctude histologique a montrC une similitude de structure dans la composition du tCgument mais avec une variation de l'importance dans divers composants (glandes sCbacCes, pannicule adipeux, couche cornbe) qu'on a pu relier au mode de vie de chaque espece. Au niveau des follicule...

Long-lasting Systemic Bait Markers for Eurasian Badgers

“…Badgers molt once a year from July through December when hair follicles are in the growth phase. In January, when the molt is complete, the follicles enter a resting stage, and from February to July no hair is lost or grown (Maurel et al, 1986). Our results with Rhodamine B were consistent with the badgers' molting cycle.…”

Isotopic investigation of niche partitioning among native carnivores and the non-native coyote (Canis latrans)

“…We performed stable isotope analysis on mammalian guard hair, as stable isotope values of hair reflect the diet over a wide range of time (up to nine months; [56]) relative to other types of tissue, and it is the easiest, least invasive, and least expensive type of tissue to collect. Like most North American Carnivora, the four species studied here undergo a molt in the late spring or early summer months [19,56].…”

“…Like most North American Carnivora, the four species studied here undergo a molt in the late spring or early summer months [19,56]. We collected samples from individuals harvested in the 2010 trapping season (i.e.…”

“…A sample of approximately 20 guard hairs was collected from 9 to 10 individuals of each species. We cut hair samples as close to the skin as possible using Downloaded by [UNAM Ciudad Universitaria] at 00: 31 26 December 2014 a razor blade and, given the molt cycle and time of harvest, they likely reflect the individual's diet over the previous 5-7 months [56].…”

Patterns of river otter (Lontra canadensis) diet and habitat selection at latrine sites in central British Columbia.

“…Despite these biases, Erlinge (1968) November they shed and replace guard hair (Ben-David et al 2000). This pattern of hair loss and growth appears common among carnivores inhabiting northern environments and when combined with stable-isotope analysis allows for the identification of bi-seasonal patterns in diet (Harper and Jenkins 1982;Maurel et al 1986). …”