CONTENTS


1. Introduction 7


1.1. Preludes and mission 9


1.2. Historical background 10


2. Evolution of the mammal hair and the adaptive patterns 27


2.1. Evolution of the mammal hairs 29


2.2. Adaptive patterns 31


3. Anatomy of the mammal skin and hair and ontogeny of the hair 39


3.1. Anatomy of the mammal skin and hair 41


3.2. Ontogeny of the hair 43


4. Structure of hairs and fur 45


4.1. Ultrastructure of hairs 47


4.2. Microstructure and patterns of hairs 49


4.3. Macrostructure and patterns of hairs 58


4.4. Structure and typology of furs 65


5. Methods of investigation 69


5.1. Reference collection 71


5.2. Preparation techniques 72


5.3. Microscopy and digital photography 74


6. Checklist of the Central European mammal species 77


7. Hair atlas of the Central European mammals 83


7.1. Erinaceomorpha 86


7.2. Soricomorpha 90


7.3. Chiroptera 100


7.4. Lagomorpha 126


7.5. Rodentia 130


7.6. Carnivora 172


7.7. Ungulata 208


8. Identification key for the guard hairs of the Central European mammal species 231


9. Colour atlas of furs 241


10. Literature 283


11. Index of scientific names 301