The placenta and foetal membranes of the lesser yellow house bat, Scotophilus borbonicus (E. Geoffroy, 1803) (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae)

Abstract

A discoidal hemodichorial placenta is present in Scotophilus borbonicus. Evidence is presented which suggests that histotrophic nutrition, in addition to hemotrophic nutrition, occurs. The foetal trophospongium phagocytoses cell debris and glandular secretions derived from the maternal endometrium (decidua basalis). This cell debris forms a detritus zone between the decidua basalis and trophospongium. The existing concept of the basal lamina (intrasyncytial membrane) of the hemodichorial placenta is described in a modified form.