Fig. 20

Schematic view of consecutive cross sections of the left paraseptal cartilage (light) and vomeronasal organ (dark) in a Caluromys philander (ZIUT-nn), b Sminthopsis sp. (ZIUT-nn), c Thylogale billardieri (ZIUT, HL 13 mm) and d Dromiciops gliroides (ZIUT, HL 19 mm). Not to scale. Notice that the relations of the outer bar, the vomeronasal organ and the main body of the paraseptal cartilage, are similar between the dasyurid (b) and Dromiciops (d). Australian marsupials and Dromiciops (b, c, d) have a dorsal extension of the paraseptal cartilage with regard to the outer bar that is lacking in didelphids (a)