Hair Microstructure in a Mummy of a Juvenile Saber-Toothed Cat Homotherium latidens (Felidae, Carnivora).

Abstract

The microstructure of hairs from several parts of the body of a three-week-old cub of Pleistocene Homotherium latidens was for the first time studied using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The frozen H. latidens mummy dated to 31 808-37 019 years ago was found in Yakutia and first described by Russian paleontologists. The H. latidens mummy was shown to have poorly differentiated short uniform tangled dark-brown hair. Hairs had rather poor heat-protective properties because of the weak development of the hair medulla, while their mechanical strength was excellent. The hair microstructure varied depending on the hair location on the body. The findings were compared with data on the hair of cave and African lion cubs. Similarities and differences in microstructure were observed for the species and were explained from the functional viewpoint.