Cutaneous Comparative Biology

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Abstract
This article reports the biological properties and adaptive patterns of structure and function of mammalian skin. There is an inverse relation between the richness of pelage and the thickness and complexity of epidermal undersurface of the epidermis. Active melanocytes are numerous in the viscera and must have other functions than making melanin. The dermis follows a stereotyped structural pattern, but shows many species differences; no animal has the amounts of elastic tissue, vascularity, and nerves as does the human. Hair follicles differ in different species and in various parts of the body, and are parts of the cutaneous sensory system. Sebaceous and apocrine glands secrete pheromones. Except for horses, only man sweats in response to heat stimulation. Thermal sweating, therefore, can be studied only in man.