Author(s): Tóth A., M.
Title: Identification of Hungarian Mustelidae and other small carnivores using guard hair analysis
Year: 2002
Volume: 48
Pages: 237-250.
Abstract: The characteristics of the guard hairs of all the mustelids in Hungary and Vulpes vulpes and Felis silvestris were examined for diagnostic characters. The analysis of hair samples taken from guts, scats, burrows, nests and bait sites can serve as an easy and quick method for faunistic research. The difficulties of hair determination are the similar appearance, overlapping characters and often the low number of samples, but some relevant characters of hair could be used to develop more detailed and specific identification. Otter and Badger differ markedly from the other mustelids while separating the hair of the other six species living in Carpathian Basin (Polecat, Steppe Polecat, Stoat, Weasel, Pine Marten and Stone Marten) demanded statistical analysis. Separating the two "twin-pairs" of species (Stoat and Weasel, Polecat and Steppe Polecat) is not probable by this technique.
Keywords: small carnivores, Mustelidae, hair, identification, Carpathian Basin
Journal: Acta Zoologica Academiae Scientiarum Hungaricae
Journal abbreviation:
ISSN: 1217-8837
Publisher: Hungarian Natural History Museum, Budapest
Editor(s): Matskási, I. & Peregovits, L.
