Light and transmission electron microscopy of the dorsal lingual epithelium of Pelusios castaneus (Pleurodira, Chelidae) with special respect to its feeding mechanics

Abstract

The ultrastructure of the dorsal lingual epithelium of the semi-aquatic West African mud turtle,Pelusios castaneus , is described. Our goal is to give additional information to previous studies of this species such as feeding pattern analysis and gross morphology. Tissue specimens were fixed in modified Karnovsky solution followed by osmium tetroxide, embedded in epoxy resin and observed using light and transmission electron microscopy. The dorsal tongue surface is covered with moderate papillae, which are coated by a stratified epithelium overlying a connective tissue core. Two epithelial regions can be differentiated, although differences are not very obvious: the apical area, where granular cells are more abundant than mucus cells, and the lateral area, where cell distribution is opposite. Within the epithelium, different layers are discernable on the basis of the cells' organelles, corresponding with a process of cell maturation and formation of different granules. These results together with data of previous studies of this species show that the ultrastructure of the lingual epithelium is similar to other turtles adapted to semi-aquatic environments; functional and morphological data indicate a generalist, being well but not highly adapted to feeding in an aquatic environment.