Lizard Taste and Smell

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).

However, 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'.

References

• Schwenk, K. (1985). Occurrence, distribution and functional significance of taste buds in lizards. Copeia 1, 91-101