Scanning Electron Microscopic (SEM) Study of The Dorsal Surface Of The Chaetophractus villosus (Desmarest,1804) (Mammalia, Dasypodidae) Tongue

S. ESTECONDO; SM CODÓN; E.B. CASANAVE

PHYSIS

Asoc. Arg. de Cs. Nat.

Lugar: BS. AS.; Año: 2004 vol. 59 p. 23 - 27

0325-0369

The structure of the dorsal lingual papillae of the armadillo Chaetophractus villosus was studied byscanning electron microscopy. Simple or branched filiform, fungiform andvallate papillae were examined. Filiform simple (conical) papillae are locatedat the distal third, as well as in the margins and in the proximal third of thetongue, caudally to the vallate papillae. Filiform branched papillae aredensely distributed over the entire dorsal surface of the tongue. Both types offiliform papillae have mechanical function. Dome-shaped fungiform papillae arescattered among the filiform papillae and are numerous at the distal region.Two vallate papillae are located in both sides of the proximal third of thetongue surface. Fungiform and vallate papillae revealed the taste pores, thosedemonstrating their gustatory function. At higher magnification, the papillaeand the interpapilar epithelial cells exhibit the microridges. Mammals,Armadillos, Dasypodidae, Tongue, Lingual papillae.