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An examination of the sensory structures in the oral cavity of the American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis).
- Source :
-
Journal of morphology [J Morphol] 2014 Nov; Vol. 275 (11), pp. 1312-20. Date of Electronic Publication: 2014 Jun 27. - Publication Year :
- 2014
-
Abstract
- The location and distribution of mucosal sensory structures of the crocodilian oral cavity are poorly understood. Although there are several descriptions of these structures in adults, nothing is known about their development. The purpose of this study was to document location, morphology, and relative abundance of these mucosal sensory structures in both hatchling and subadult alligators. Numerous mucosal sensory structures and pale staining dome-shaped papillae were observed only in the upper palate and tongue. In hatchlings, these papillae, which house either mechanoreceptive or chemosensory (taste buds) structures, were larger and more prevalent on the tongue than the upper palate. In the subadult, however, these papillae housed primarily mechanoreceptive structures and possibly degenerate taste buds. Although the presence of the mechanoreceptive structures in the palates of the suabadult alligator are to be expected, the loss of most taste buds is hitherto undocumented. Thus, there is morphological support for an ontogenetic shift in the role of the sensory palate, from a prey detection gustatory sensory system in hatchlings to a prey-manipulative mechanoreceptive system in subadults.<br /> (© 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)
- Subjects :
- Animals
Imaging, Three-Dimensional
Mouth Mucosa growth & development
Palate anatomy & histology
Taste Buds anatomy & histology
Tongue anatomy & histology
United States
Aging
Alligators and Crocodiles anatomy & histology
Animals, Newborn anatomy & histology
Mechanoreceptors cytology
Mouth Mucosa anatomy & histology
Mouth Mucosa cytology
Taste Buds cytology
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1097-4687
- Volume :
- 275
- Issue :
- 11
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Journal of morphology
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 24976263
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1002/jmor.20306