Abstract

MOLLERACH, Marcos I.  and  MANGIONE, Susana. Morphological adaptations of the tongue of Desmodus rotundus (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae) related with their feeding habits. Mastozool. neotrop. [online]. 2004, vol.11, n.2, pp.203-209. ISSN 0327-9383.

An analysis of the external morphology and histomorphology of the tongue, as well as an histochemical analysis of the glands of Desmodus rotundus, are here presented with the purpose of establishing a correlation between these structures and the feeding habits of this species. In the lingual surface they have the typical filiform papillae modified to different degrees of keratinization, and there are fungiform-like papillae in less amount. The intrinsic musculature and the presence of lynphocitary infiltration are described; the presence of important nervous packages was observed.

Keywords : Desmodus rotundus; Feeding habits; Histology; Tongue.

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