Fiber characteristics of qiviut and guard hair from wild muskoxen (Ovibos moschatus)

In response to increasing commercial interest and the high market value of qiviut (the downy underwool of the muskox), we have employed standards and measurements used in the wool and cashmere industries to describe qiviut fi ber characteristics. Fleece samples (qiviut with guard hair) were shaved fr om the midshoulder of 299 wild muskox hides of known sex and age (1, 2, 3, and 4+ yr) during the Banks Island, Canada, muskox harvest in November 1997 . Samples were analyzed for fiber diameter distribution of raw fiber and qi viut, scoured and qiviut yields, and lengths of guard hair and qiviut fiber . We found a sex x age interaction for average fiber diameter (AFD) in raw fiber (P = 0.002) and qiviut (P < 0.001) only. Adult males had significantl y coarser AFD than females (21.5 mum, males vs 20.1 mum, females and 18.2 m um, males vs 17.5 mum, females) for raw fiber and qiviut, respectively. Qiv iut AFD from yearlings was 1.7 mum finer than the AFD of adult qiviut. Fibe r diameter distribution (SD) decreased with age in the raw sample (P < 0.00 3) and qiviut (P < 0.001) and qiviut SD was greater (P < 0.001) in males th an in females. Qiviut theoretical yield (% mass of fibers less than or equa l to 30 mum) increased (P < 0.001) with age, and females had higher theoret ical yields than males (P < 0.001). Scoured yield did not vary between sexe s in any age class and averaged 93.3%. Qiviut staple length did not differ with either age or sex. In summary, differences between the sexes were smal l up to the 3rd yr, and these differences were not likely to be of commerci al importance. However, considering that AFD is a primary commercial criter ion of value, AFD changes from 16.5 mum in yearlings to 18.2 mum in adults and from 17.5 mum in adult females to 18.2 mum in adult males would be expe cted to result in significant differences in commercial value.