This study examines the functional histology of thin-spined porcupine’s (Chaetomys subspinosus Olfers, 1818) quills and integument, and compares them with the North American porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum Linnaeus, 1758) equivalents. Erethizon quills disseminate warnings to potential predators. An olfactory warning is generated by sebaceous glands of the lower back, disseminated by osmetrichial specializations of lower-back quills. Chaetomys skin lacks functional sebaceous glands, and generates no warning odor. Erethizon quills also carry a visual warning, effective even in dim light. Chaetomys quills carry no warning color. The straight, stiff quills of Erethizon are tipped with one-way barbs and can be elevated to 900. A protective collagenous spool at the base of the quill prevents back-stabbing on impact. Chaetomys quills lack barbs and the basal collagenous spool is poorly developed. The quill shafts are wavy and angled at the base, allowing them to act as shock absorbers during a fall from a tree. Nevertheless, Chaetomys quills of the head and shoulders can be elevated to 900 to function as stabbing devices. Major defensive quills of Erethizon protect the back, in Chaetomys the front. Though both species have 1–3 arrector muscles, they differ in the details of quill stabilization. The Chaetomys quill surface has regional cuticular patterns, of which the distal, longest region is highly pitted. The function of the pitted region remains a mystery.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.