Dataset: Development of terminal air spaces in the gray short-tailed opossum (Monodelphis domestica) - data files

The Gray Short-tailed opossum (Monodelphis domestica) is a pouchless marsupial from Brazil. The newborn Monodelphis domestica represents the morphotype of the marsupial and mammalian neonate and is suitable to inform on the evolution of the mammalian lung. X-ray computed tomography (Micro-CT) has been applied to three-dimensionally reconstruct the terminal airspaces of Monodelphis domestica in order to reveal the timeline of lung morphogenesis. In addition, lung and air space volume as well as surface area were determined to assess the functional relevance of the structural changes in the developing lung. Morphometric measurements on air space size and septum thickness were carried out to evaluate structural remodelling.The development of the terminal air spaces was examined in 35 animals from embryonic day 13, during the postnatal period (neonate to 57 days) and in adults. At birth, the lung of Monodelphis domestica is at the canalicular stage of lung development and has a few large terminal air spaces, which are poorly subdivided and open directly from short lobar bronchioles. During the postnatal period the lung went through the saccular period, characterized by a continued subdivision of the air spaces. The alveolar period, characterized by respiratory bronchioli, alveloar ducts and alveolar sacs, was fully attained by 35 dpn. The structural transformation from large terminal sacs to the final alveolar lung in the gray short-tailed opossum follows similar patterns as described in other marsupial and placental mammals. The processes involved in sacculation and alveolarization during lung development seem to be highly conservative within mammalian evolution. This data publication publishes the original data and calculations for the publication "Development of the terminal air spaces in the gray short-tailed opossum (Monodelphis domestica) – 3D reconstruction by microcomputed tomography" (PlosOne).