Morphology of hair of two- and three- toed sloths (Edentata: Bradypodidae).
Micromorphological differences between hairs of the two-toed sloth (Choloepus hoffmanni) and of the three-toed sloth (Bradypus variegatus) were observed by means of scanning electron microscopy. Hairs of the two-toed had longitudinal grooves which exposed a uniform cortex when viewed in cross section. Hairs of the three-toed sloth have irregular transverse fissures and a cortex that contains scattered fusi. These morphological differences support the placement of the two sloth genera into separate families. Hairs of four other xenarthran species are also illustrated.
Department of Biology, Central Michigan University, Mt. Pleassant 48859.
D E
DE
Wujek
J M
JM
Cocuzza
D000818:Animals; D006197:Hair / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D012896:Sloths / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D004490:Xenarthra / Q000033:anatomy & histology*