Figure 2.

Histological sections comparing the structural characteristics of the skin in the neonate Dasyurus viverrinus (A), Monodelphis domestica (B), Trichosurus vulpecula (C), Isoodon obesulus (D), Perameles nasuta (E) and Phascolarctos cincereus (F). The skin layers varied in thickness between the marsupial neonates. Capillaries (arrowheads) were encountered in all marsupial neonates at various levels of the dermis, some closely associated with the epidermis. The highest capillary density was present in the newborn D. viverrinus. As part of the epidermis, a thin layer of keratin (stratum corneum, arrow) formed the outer covering of the skin. Hairs were absent. bv, blood vessel; d, dermis; e, epidermis; r, rib. Scale bar: 100 μm.