A computer-assisted method for the determination of hair cuticula patterns in mammals.

The study describes a rather simple, computer-assisted method for the determination of different mammalian species or groups with the aid of the cuticula pattern of guard hairs (primary hairs) following SEM presentation. The method is based on an image analysis program developed for metallographic investigations, and includes the evaluation of five parameters (scale area, scale perimeter, number of scales per mm2, ratio of scale width and height, scale index). The scale index as a combination of scale numbers per square unit and the width/height ratio proved to be most useful for a relevant species or group identification of mammals according to the hair cuticula pattern.