Eight monoclonal antibodies were used to label Müller cells in four mammals that have vascular retinae (cats, dogs, humans, and rats) and in three with avascular retinae (echidnas, guinea pigs, and rabbits). Müller cells were found to have a fairly uniform retinal distribution in seven species, with a mean density of 8,000–13,000 cells mm− 2. Müller cells in avascular retinae differ from their vascular counterparts in four respects. First, they are shorter than those in vascular retinae. This difference is mainly due to a reduction in the thickness of the outer nuclear layer. Second, the trunks of Müller cells in avascular retinae tend to be thicker, although those in echidnas are an exception to this trend. Third, Müller cell rootlets in avascular retinae follow a more tortuous course than those in vascular retinae, reflecting the fact that photoreceptor nuclei in the two types of retina have different shapes and stacking patterns. Fourth, due to a reduction in the density of photoreceptors in avascular retinae, there are fewer neurones per Müller cell.