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Panniculus carnosus and formation of the pouch in Didelphids

1937; Wiley; Volume: 61; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1002/jmor.1050610102

1097-4687

Robert K. Enders,

Bat Biology and Ecology Studies

Abstract Panniculus carnosus is well developed in the five Didelphids studied. It is described in three parts: pars dorsalis, pars thoracoabdominalis and pars pudenda, in Marmosa, Didelphis, Metachirops, Metachirus and Chironectes, and in Orolestes, a caenolestid marsupial. Pars dorsalis is well developed in all five genera, but not so well developed as in Orolestes; pars thoracoabdominalis is present in all five Didelphids, but not in Orolestes; and the degree of development of pars pudenda is correlated with the development of the pouch, being absent in Orolestes, weak in Marmosa and strong in both males and females of the other genera. In Chironectes, in which genus the male develops a pouch, pars pudenda is strikingly developed. The ‘sphincter marsupii’ of other writers is considered to be a portion of pars pudenda. In early development an epidermal ridge arises surrounding part of the mammary area. In Marmosa these ridges move laterally and posteriorly before the expanding mammary area. In Didelphis, Metachirops, Metachirus and Chironectes the ridges form the lips of the pouch. The pouch is formed when the ridges remain stationary and the expanding mammary area throws the skin into a double‐walled fold.