Identification of Dorsal Guard Hairs of Nine Species of the Family Bovidae (Artiodactyla: Mammalia)

Tricho-taxonomic study of hair is very much significant in the study of mammalian taxononiy along with food habit, ecology, behaviour and even in the control of illegal trade of wildlife and its derivatives. Importance of hair analysis have been focused by a number of workers (Adorjan & Kolenosky 1969, Mathiak 1938, Williams 1938, Mayer 1952, Hausman 1920, Moore et. al, 1974, Koppikar & Sabnis 1976,1977, Terrink 1991, Wallis 1993, De & Chakraborty 1995,1998, 2002, 2006, Chakraborty & De 2001, 2002, 2005, Chakraborty et al, 1996, 1999, Toth 2002). But meager information is available on the hair structure of the spedes of the family Bovidae (Order: Artiodactyla).