The skin structure in Pinnipedia of the U.S.S.R. fauna

Morphological Aspects and the Ecological and Mechanical Consequences of Fat Deposition in Wild Vertebrates

“…According to Ognev (212), very thin specimens of sea lions (Otariidae) never bask on the ice. Bottom-feeding species such as walruses and bearded seals have thick, collagenous skin, relatively little subcutaneous fat, and a massive skeleton, while pelagic-feeding seals have thinner dermis and relatively thick blubber (266). Walruses sink when dead (281).…”

Age-related changes in the testicular and antler cycles of reindeer, Rangifer tarandus

“…Thus all the reindeer studied are considered as effectively attaining puberty at 4-8 months of age. However, puberty occurs at 17-18 months of age in barren-ground caribou (McEwan, 1963) and wild reindeer (Sokolov, 1959, quoted by McEwan, 1963. McEwan (1963) (Espmark, 1964;Lent, 1965;Bergerud, 1973).…”

Comparison of the healing process in hot and cold brands applied to harbour seal pups (Phoca vitulina)

“…extent of epidermal regeneration; infiltration by neutrophils [indicative of suppuration] and mononuclear leukocytes [mainly macrophages and lymphocytes]; vascular reaction and proliferation of fibroblasts [fibrosis], combining to form granulation tissue of repair). These microscopic parameters generated both continuous and categorical observations partitioned by year, month, cutaneous layer (epidermis, superficial dermis [containing hair follicles and adnexal glands: Sokolov 1960], deep dermis, blubber), and biopsy site. Although the biopsy site was only a small proportion of the whole brand, it represented a consistent location for each of the hot brand, cold brand (same site, whether of 10-or 20-s application time), and normal skin from each animal.…”

“…Categorical parameters were evaluated on a scale of 0 to 5 (0, not present; 1, slight or questionable; 2, clearly present but not conspicuously so [moderate]; 3, marked; 4, severe; 5, extreme (Sokolov 1960). B Based on enlargement of nuclei of endothelial cells (indicating hypertrophy and possibly hyperplasia of these cells) and relative abundance of small blood vessels.…”