Skin and hair of the Tibetan Hamster (Urocricetus kamensis, Cricetidae, Rodentia): A comparative morphological analysis

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Abstract

For the first time, using light and scanning electron microscopy, the fine structure of the skin and its derivatives (glands, hairs, whiskers) was studied in adult male and female Tibetan hamsters (Urocricetus kamensis Satunin 1903), a unique species of the subfamily Cricetinae that lives only in the highlands of the Tibetan Plateau. A comparative morphological analysis of the skin, along with features of its similarity with the skin of other hamsters, revealed a number of characteristic features in the Tibetan hamster that contribute to the adaptation of this species to the harsh mountain climate conditions with sharp seasonal and daily temperature fluctuations: abundant subcutaneous fatty tissue, a special hair structure that provides effective heat protection due to a significant change in the volume of inert air in the fur: significant hair density, wavy arrangement of rows of hairs and the profile of the lower sections of the guard hairs. The presence of relatively long and thick guide hairs in the fur serves to protect the coat in rocky habitats. The array of specific skin glands is little compared to other Cricetinae; no mid-ventral and flank glands were found, this being unique for representatives of the subfamily, but this requires confirmation based on more abundant material.

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About the authors

О. F. Chernova

Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Russian Academy of Sciences

Author for correspondence.
Email: olga.chernova.moscow@gmail.com
Russian Federation, Moscow

N. Yu. Feoktistova

Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Russian Academy of Sciences

Email: Feoktistovanyu@gmail.com
Russian Federation, Moscow

I. B. Soldatova

Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Russian Academy of Sciences

Email: ira-soldatova@mail.ru
Russian Federation, Moscow

А. V. Surov

Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Russian Academy of Sciences

Email: allocricetulus@gmail.com
Russian Federation, Moscow

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Supplementary files

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2. Fig. 1. Appearance of adult Urocricetus kamensis: A–D – female in the vivarium of the IPEE RAS (D – photograph through the glass of the enclosure, large plantar calluses of the hand are clearly visible); E – carcasses of the studied individuals. Scale 10 mm. Photo by A. V. Surov.

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3. Fig. 2. Changes in hair thickness and cuticle height along the shaft of the guard hair and vibrissa in an adult female Urocricetus kamensis.

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4. Fig. 3. Microstructure of hairs (A–L) and vibrissae (M–O) of the adult female Urocricetus kamensis. Hairs of the withers (A–C), chest (D–F), tail (G–I) and side (J–L); vibrissa (M–O). A, D, G, J, M are cross-sections of the shaft, pigment granules are indicated by an arrow in A. B, E, H, K, N are longitudinal sections of the shaft. C, F, I, L, O are cuticle ornamentation along the shaft from the base to the middle (from left to right), crown cuticle and specific cuticle are indicated by an arrow in L. SEM data. Scale bar, µm: A – 10 and 5, B–O – 10.

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5. Fig. 4. External appearance of the skin and microstructure of its components in an adult female Urocricetus kamensis. A, B - skin of the withers in longitudinal section; C - the same in cross section; D - muzzle of the hamster, the arrow indicates the corner of the mouth; E - glandular field of the corner of the mouth; F - sebaceous glands of the corner of the mouth; G - vibrissa pad; H - upper lip; I - lower lip; J - circumvaginal skin; K - proctodeal skin. Histological sections are stained with hematoxylin and eosin. 1 - epidermis; 2 - dermis; 3 - subcutaneous tissue; 4 - subcutaneous muscles; 5 - hair follicle, hair; 6 - vibrissa follicle; 7 - bundle of muscle fibers; 8 - sebaceous gland; 9 - nerve; 10 - blood vessel; 11 – anal sphincter; 12 – anal canal; 13 – proctodeal gland. Microphoto. Scale: A–C, F–I, L – 100 µm; D–E, J, K – 10 mm.

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6. Fig. 5. Location and microstructure of plantar calluses in an adult female Urocricetus kamensis. A – volar surface of the hand; B – plantar surface of the foot; C – longitudinal section of a plantar callus of the hand, stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Calluses: 1 – digital; 2 – metacarpal/metatarsal; 3 – thenar; 4 – hypothenar; 5 – central; 6 – hair; 7 – stratum corneum; 8 – papillary epidermis; 9 – dermis; 10 – subcutaneous fat; 11 – eccrine gland; 12 – eccrine gland duct. Microphotograph. Scale: A, B – 10 mm; C – 100 µm.

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7. Fig. 6. Similarity of the cuticle ornamentation of guard hairs of the withers of Urocricetus kamensis (A, C), Phodopus sungorus (B) and Ph. campbelli (D). A, B – base of the hair; C, D – higher along the shaft before the facet. SEM data. Scale bar 10 µm.

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