The caceum of the Koala, Phascolarctos cinereus: Light, scanning and transmission electron microscopic observations on its epithelium and flora

Abstract

The pseudostratified columnar epithelium of the koala caecum is surmounted on its luminal border by a tall palisade fringe of bacteria of different types including Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacilli, cocci and actinomycete-like organisms. Ultrastructure of the epithelium indicates that it absorbs water and nutrients from the caecal lumen, and secretes mucus to lubricate the passage of ingesta.