Functional-Morphology of the Cranial Vasculature and the Nasal Passage in the Tasmanian Devil, Sarcophilus-Harrisii (Marsupialia, Dasyuridae) - a Marsupial Carotid Rete

Abstract

An anatomical examination of the cranial vascular system of the Tasmanian devil, Sarcophilus harrisii (Boitard), using angiography, polyester resin casts, and dissections, demonstrated the presence of two bilateral retia analogous to the carotid retia of panting eutherians. Such structures have not previously been demonstrated in any marsupial. The pattern of the Circle of Willis differed from that reported for any eutherian. A possible role of the retia in cooling the cranial blood supply during thermal panting would be aided by the complex turbinate bone structure, which provides a large surface area for the nasal mucosa. The mucosa was observed to be highly vascularized, and a lateral nasal gland was found on the nasal septum.