Development of the brachial spinal cord in the marsupial Macropus eugenii (tammar wallaby).

The development of the brachial spinal cord was studied in the marsupial Macropus eugenii (tammar wallaby) on postnatal days 1-34. On day 1 the spinal cord was histologically immature, with a deep central canal, proliferating neuroepithelium and roof and floor plates. The lateral motor column had formed, and forelimb muscles contained primary myotubes. The spinal cord gradually attained a mature appearance between days 1-34. The results confirm the suitability of the wallaby spinal cord for studies of early mammalian development.