Echinops telfairi, Martin, 1838

ASHER, ROBERT J., 2001, Cranial Anatomy in Tenrecid Insectivorans: Character Evolution Across Competing Phylogenies, American Museum Novitates 3352, pp. 1-55 : 36

Echinops telfairi (ZIUT, HL 18 mm)

The posterior margin of the paraseptal cartilage in Echinops is coincident with the anterior margin of the first ethmoturbinal (slice 15.2.4); the vomeronasal organ itself appears a fraction of a millimeter farther anteriorly (slice 14.2.2). Rostrally, the vomeronasal organ terminates over the posterior incisive foramina. The vomeronasal organ (approximately 1.6 mm long) comprises 17% of nasal capsule length (9.5 mm) and 9% of head length (18 mm). Two venous channels are evident dorsolateral and ventromedial to the vomeronasal organ on each side (e.g., slice 11.3.4), each of which gives off several small branches toward the inferior part of the nasal septum.

The anterior paraseptal cartilage curves around the vomeronasal organ laterally (slice 10.5.4), but does not possess an outer bar passing dorsal to the vomeronasal organ or vomeronasal duct. The vomeronasal duct empties directly into the nasopalatine duct, well separated from the nasal cavity proper (slice 9.3.6). Farther anteriorly, the paired nasopalatine duct appears very atypical, as the conduits on each side coalesce with one another into a single channel that opens into the oral cavity (slice 8.3.6; fig. 31). As a result, the typical mammalian inverted mushroomshaped palatine papilla is absent. This condition has been previously documented in Echinops and Setifer by Hofer (1982a). Cartilages supporting the nasopalatine duct are small; only a minor cartilaginous center is evident along the lateral margin of the incisive foramen. The paraseptal cartilage does not show a significant anterior continuity with the anterior transverse lamina (slice 9.5.5).

Just anterior to the incisive foramina and dorsal to part of the nasopalatine duct, anteroposteriorly running ridges on either side of the septum are evident (slice 9.2.5). The posterior margin of the anterior transverse lamina provides cartilaginous support for these inferior septal ridges. Farther anteriorly, bulges on each side of the nasal septum comprise the ‘‘superior’’ septal ridges, which have no cartilaginous support and contain glandular tissue (slice 5.1.5). Also in this re­ gion of the anterior nose, a complete zona annularis is evident.

Adjacent to the anterior termination of the nasolacrimal duct, the superior alar processes originate from the nasal sidewall and extend dorsolaterally (slice 3.6.4). No connection with the anterior nasal cupula is apparent.