Penetration ability of echidna spines and porcupine quills
B. A. Gooden A and M. L. Augee A BA Wellington Caves Fossil Studies Center, 89 Caves Road, Wellington, NSW 2820, Australia.
B Corresponding author. Email: fossil@well-com.net.au
Australian Mammalogy 37(1) 23-28 https://doi.org/10.1071/AM14003
Submitted: 22 February 2014 Accepted: 23 August 2014 Published: 24 November 2014
Abstract
The structure and function of 10 echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus) spines and 10 cape porcupine (Hystrix africaeaustralis) quills were compared with regard to their ability to penetrate a mammalian muscle tissue analogue (10% gelatine). All specimens showed a significant correlation between the load applied and the depth of penetration into the gel. There was no significant difference between the penetration ability of the echidna spines and the porcupine quills despite the finding that quills had a significantly smaller angle at the tip of the spine (opening angle). The penetration ability of echidna spines was inversely related to the opening angle whereas there was no such correlation in porcupine quills. These findings are discussed in relation to the different response of these two species to possible predators.
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