Characterization of the hair structures in 21 genera of Philippine bats

• Main Author: Hapitan, Joselito B.
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 1989
• Subjects: Bats > Philippines; Biology
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_masteral/660
• Institution: De La Salle University

Hair structures in 34 species and subspecies of Philippine bats belonging to 21 genera were examined and analyzed using whole mounts and scale impression techniques. The half strands were taken from the specimen collection of the National Museum Manila. Hair color was noted. The structural patterns of the scale and medulla of the hair strands were sketched. Likewise, hair width and medulla width were measured using an ocular micrometer. The differences in hair structures of bats can be used as a basis in distinguishing bats at the generic level. Identification below the genus was found to be dependent on the medulla and medulla width: hair width ratio. A taxonomic key for the identification of the bat genera was constructed. A sketch of the hair structures for each of the species and subspecies was included as a pictorial reference.