Microstructure of Quills in Sunda Porcupine Hystrix javanica (F. Cuvier, 1823)

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify the quills type, cuticle pattern, cross-section feature, and medulla structure of the quills in Sunda porcupine (Hystrix javanica). The second aim was to determine the nutritional content of the quills in Sunda porcupine. The specimens fixed in cacodylate buffer and glutaraldehyde, then dehydrated through graded series of alcohol, and freeze-dried. The specimens attached to the stubs by sticky tape, coated with gold and observed with Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Determination of cuticle pattern and medulla structure base on to the mammal's hair identification key by Teerink (1991). Nutritional content analysis using proximate. The study result showed that H. javanica has four types of quills; true, transitional, flat spine, and rattle quills. The SEM micrograph of the cuticle pattern showed characteristic variation in the shaft and base region, except the flat spine has no scaly feature in the base region. The cuticle of anogenital quill and hair in H. javanica has no specific feature or osmetrichia. The cross-sectional images of the three type quills of H. javanica revealed circular and alveolar arrangement. Only the flat spine has a quadriconcave feature. The true quills have multicellular and reverse cloisonné structure in the medulla, compare to the other three quills have no pattern. Nutritional content of the quills were water (89.93%), crude protein (93.66%), crude fat (0.44%), phosphorous (0.034%), calcium (0.2%), magnesium (0.01%), and sulphur (2,01%).