 Reference Base  A note on eyelashes in an African black rhinoceros, Dicer... |
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Bergh, H.K. van den, 1970. A note on eyelashes in an African black rhinoceros, Diceros bicornis. Journal of Zoology, London 161 (2): 191, 1 plate
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| Location: |
World |
| Subject: |
Morphology |
| Species: |
Black Rhino |
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In his survey on facial vibrissae in mammals, Pocock(1914) noted eyelashes being present in Rhinocerotidae on the upper eyelid only. Recently, Cave (1969) described the existence of eyelashes also on the lower eyelids in three species of rhinoceros, including the African Black or Hook-lipped rhinoceros. In the five living specimens of Diceros bicornis examined by Cave (1959: 253) the lower eyelashes were found to be 'relatively fine, but very short hairs, somewhat irregularly disposed'.
On 27 July 1964 I was able to observe and photograph at very close range the eye region of an African Black rhinoceros then living in the Zoological Gardens of Antwerp, Belgium. Photography (Plate 1(a), (b)) was made possible by the fact that the animal was intent on peering between the bars of its enclosure while at the same time leaning against the fence. The specimen, a female, which had been in the Society's collection since 1956 was estimated to be approximately ten years old at the time of the observation (Gijzen, A., pers. cornm.).
The upper eyelid is fringed with rather thick, prominent, straight or slightly upcurving lashes, which are particularly numerous towards the inner canthus (anterior corner of the eye). The lower eyelid bears a smaller number of distinctly curved hairs (Plate 1(a)), which appear to be somewhat longer than those indicated in the sketch published by Cave (1969). They are somewhat irregularly placed but are grouped mainly near the central part of the lower lid (Plate 1(b)). The presence in a member of the Rhinocerotidae of eyelashes on both the upper and lower lids is thus confirmed by a photographic record.
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