Abstract
Descriptive and comparative studies on tongue of nineteen Molossidae, one Mystacinidae, and four Vespertilionidae bats species were carried out. Analysis was restricted to the external morphology, covering general shape of the tongue and its papillae. Types of papillae and their distribution presented considerable intergeneric variation, considering the strictly insectivorous feeding habits of these bats. Distribution of the data of tongue morphology is analyzed and compared with the phylogenetic schemes proposed previously and comments about evolutionary relationships among taxa were done.
Highlights
Studies dealing with lingual morphology of bats are numerous when compared to other mammal orders (PARK & HALL, 1951; GREENBAUM & PHILLIPS, 1974; HOWELL & HODGKIN, 1976; GRIFFITHS, 1982; UIEDA, 1986; GRIFFITHS & CRILEY, 1989; GIMENEZ et al, 1996; WETTERER et al, 2000)
They have contributed to elucidate the evolutionary relationships and variation among and within molossid taxa, and raised interesting questions when these data disagreed with the previously known hypothesis based on dentition (LEGENDRE, 1984; HAND, 1990), skull and external morphology (FREEMAN, 1981a; KOOPMAN, 1994)
The number of types of papillae on the tongue of Molossidae, as well as Vespertilionoidea, is reduced and presents a simpler structure when compared to Phyllostomidae
Summary
Studies dealing with lingual morphology of bats are numerous when compared to other mammal orders (PARK & HALL, 1951; GREENBAUM & PHILLIPS, 1974; HOWELL & HODGKIN, 1976; GRIFFITHS, 1982; UIEDA, 1986; GRIFFITHS & CRILEY, 1989; GIMENEZ et al, 1996; WETTERER et al, 2000). To molossid bats nothing has been published about morphology of the tongue but other anatomical studies for the Neotropical molossids include analysis of glans penis (RYAN, 1991a, b) and hair structure (STAADEN & JONES, 1997) They have contributed to elucidate the evolutionary relationships and variation among and within molossid taxa, and raised interesting questions when these data disagreed with the previously known hypothesis based on dentition (LEGENDRE, 1984; HAND, 1990), skull and external morphology (FREEMAN, 1981a; KOOPMAN, 1994). Lingual morphology can be useful in elucidating dietary preferences and evolutionary patterns of feeding habits in molossids
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
