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Lizard Taste and Smell (view source)
Revision as of 23:35, 23 February 2010
, 23:35, 23 February 2010no edit summary
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Lizards have recourse to three main chemosensory systems: Vomeronasal, olfactory and gustatory.
The taste buds are poorly developed and are mainly found in the pharynx, tongue and oral epithelium (beneath and lateral to the tongue). They are more abundant in species belonging to the Iguanidae family and absent in ''Varanus indicus'' (Mangrove monitor - Varanidae family).
The taste buds are poorly developed and are mainly found in the pharynx, tongue and oral epithelium (beneath and lateral to the tongue). They are more abundant in species belonging to the Iguanidae family and absent in ''Varanus indicus'' (Mangrove monitor - Varanidae family).
Due to insufficient data, it is difficult to distinguish between taste and vomeronasal function when studying chemosensory-mediated behaviour in lizards.
Due to insufficient data, it is difficult to distinguish between taste and vomeronasal function when studying chemosensory-mediated behaviour in lizards.
Protusion of the tongue is primarily for bringing scent particles to the Jacobson's (vomeronasal) organ for olfaction. The vomeronasal system is a specially modified and highly developed olfactory pit located in the roof of the mouth and innervated by a separate branch of the olfactory nerve. Scent particles picked up from the surroundings by the tongue are conveyed to the palate, to pass up through a duct into Jacobsons organ for 'tasting'.
Protusion of the tongue or "tongue flicking", although poorly understood in lizards, seems to be primarily for bringing scent particles to the Jacobson's (vomeronasal) organ for olfaction. The vomeronasal system is a specially modified and highly developed olfactory pit located in the roof of the mouth and innervated by a separate branch of the olfactory nerve. Scent particles picked up from the surroundings by the tongue are conveyed to the palate, to pass up through a duct into Jacobsons organ for 'tasting'.
Chemoreception helps mediate the choice and location of prey, individual recognition, choice and location of a mate, exploratory behaviour, identification of surroundings, courtship and copulatory behaviour as well as all other aspects of social behaviour.
==References==
==References==
* Schwenk, K. (1985). Occurrence, distribution and functional significance of taste buds in lizards. Copeia 1, 91-101
* Schwenk, K. (1985). Occurrence, distribution and functional significance of taste buds in lizards. Copeia 1, 91-101