Thank you for your explanation of the "Pitting Lesions".

Question -- Are they varied in size and depth? I am going somewhere with this

Thanks alot for the info Apeman...for those that don't know what the heck Melissa and I are talking about:


QUOTE(MooseMan @ May 3 2006, 01:39 PM)
Apeman, are these lesions the norm in a primate subjected to a constantly wet environment or do they occasionally occur?
In mountain gorillas, (the only species I've noted them in but in a VERY biased sampling) they seem to be associated with extra wet times and conditions and have some individual variation, but are never constant as far as I've seen. They also seem more common on young individuals (softer, thinner skin?)


QUOTE
The reason I ask is should these lesions be present in, say, a Sasquatch living in a primarily wet environment like southern British Columbia?
I obviously can't answer that but the reason I've thrown this out is that it would be something else to look for in tracks and casts.


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Also do you know if they are caused by an organism that might not be found in BC?
There isn't any reason to think they are caused by any infectious agent, though that is possible I suppose. They are a little like some fungal lesions associated with 'Athlete's foot,' but part of the etiology in those infections is usually wet conditions that harbor the fungus- at least that's my best understanding. I suppose if there was a fungal association it would likely be a local variety... but fungus like these are usually pretty cosmopolitan, at least to the wider taxonomic levels (e.g. genus) so would likely have 'cousins' elsewhere in the world. Sorry for thinking out loud, but I guess the final answer is that I'm not really sure but you've given me another interesting research question- THANKS!

Apeman

Yes, I think that is evident in some of the photos I've posted. I'd guesstimate that they range from about 0.5 cm downward.


Not so much. They tend to be pretty shallow and only about the depth of something like a blister.

Again, thank you for your reply

Question - Is it possible these "Pitting Lesions" could be what were seeing in some casts and their being called pores?

This is where I was going. I am sure you cannot give an absolute answer - but I just want to know if that is a possible explanation. Up until you discussed these lesions - I didnt even have a clue about them.

Thank you so much

I guess it's possible that the tiny pore-like effects are small versions of these, but I doubt it. When I see these lesions they are a mix of different sizes, very inconsistent, unlike what I understand to be the case with the pores.

Thank you Apeman

Question - as I cannot tell from the photos (eyesight isnt what it used to be) Are the sweat pores of an ape, larger than that of a human? (on the feet)..

You are great to answer my questions - again, thank you.

I don't know, but would guess probably for gorillas if their dermal ridges are bigger, which I'm also uncertain about.

Thank you very much