Clinical Anatomy of the Mandible of Three Marsupial Species (Koala, Wombat, Wallaby)

Marsupials are an infraclass of mammals living primarily in Australasia and the New World. Well-known marsupials include kangaroos, wallabies, koala, possums, opossums, wombats and the Tasmanian devil. Three species, the koala, wombat and wallaby were chosen for this study. Three Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus), two wombat (Vombatus ursinus) and three Grey’s wallaby (Macropus greyi) mandibles, were used for this morphometric study. Twelve measurements were taken for each mandible with the aim of evaluating some morphometric parameters in these three species and its clinical implication during regional anesthesia. The craniometric measurements were taken using a normal caliper. Photographs were taken by a Samsung digital camera WB 700. Nomina Anatomica Veterinaria (2005) was utilized for denominating the anatomical terms in the study. The results were supported by 9 Figures and 2 Tables. Introduction Marsupials are an infraclass of mammals living primarily in Australasia and the New World. A distinctive characteristic, common to most species, is that the young are carried in a pouch. Well-known marsupials include kangaroos, wallabies, koala, possums, opossums, wombats and the Tasmanian devil. Less well-known species of marsupials include the numbat, bandicoots, bettongs, the bilby, quolls and the quokka. Close to 70% of the 334 extant species occur in Australia, New Guinea, and nearby islands. Three species, the koala, wombat and wallaby were chosen for this study as they are kept in the wildlife sanctuaries and zoos in Australia as attractions and representative of the Australian marsupials. These marsupials may suffer many infections, injuries and diseases. The Chidlow Marsupial Hospital located in Perth listed some infections of the head region such as the oedema, ear discharge and debris, eye infections and injuries, cracked nostrils, nasal