The armor-like folded skin of the Indian rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) was examined by CT image analyses and microscopic observation. The three-dimensional reconstructed images demonstrate that the folded skin has the subcutaneous tissues including cutaneous muscles and connective tissues inserted to the deepest holes and grooves of 2–3 mm thickness in each fold. The cutaneous muscles are well-developed in subcutaneous tissues, in which many small blood vessels are found. We conclude that the folded skin acts as a thermoregulator, since the thin blood vessels and capillaries and cutaneous muscles in the subcutaneous tissues transmit the thermal energy from the core region of the body to the skin folds. We suggest that the greater Indian rhinoceros, Rhinoceros unicornis, has evolved the extraordinary thermoregulation mechanism in the folded skin adapted to high temperature in the tropical and subtropical regions.
How to translate text using browser tools
1 December 2009
The Morphological Basis of the Armor-Like Folded Skin of the Greater Indian Rhinoceros as a Thermoregulator
Hideki Endo,
Hiroshi Kobayashi,
Daisuke Koyabu,
Akiko Hayashida,
Takamichi Jogahara,
Hajime Taru,
Motoharu Oishi,
Takuya Itou,
Hiroshi Koie,
Takeo Sakai
ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE
Mammal Study
Vol. 34 • No. 4
December 2009
Vol. 34 • No. 4
December 2009
CT
folded skin
Rhinoceros unicornis
thermoregulation
three-dimensional image analysis