Dawley Ellen M, Bass Andrew H
Sections of Ecology and Systematics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, 14853.
Neurobiology and Behavior, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, 14853.
J Morphol. 1989 May;200(2):163-174. doi: 10.1002/jmor.1052000206.
Plethodontid salamanders have unique nasolabial grooves that may function as "capillary tubes" to convey chemicals to the vomeronasal organ when these animals nose-tap. H-proline was placed at the base of these grooves in Plethodon cinereus, and autoradiography revealed large concentrations of radioactive material in the vomeronasal organs. There was no significant accumulation of radioactive material in the main olfactory epithelium. Salamanders with blocked nasolabial grooves lacked significant accumulation of material in their nasolabial grooves or vomeronasal epithelia, although some salamanders had radioactive material in the posterior portion of their vomeronasal organ that had entered through the internal nares. Anteriorly placed vomeronasal organs situated adjacent to the posterior limits of the nasolabial grooves may insure that nose-tapping primarily stimulates the vomeronasal sensory epithelium.
无肺螈科蝾螈具有独特的鼻唇沟，当这些动物轻敲鼻子时，鼻唇沟可能起到“毛细管”的作用，将化学物质输送到犁鼻器。在灰红背无肺螈的这些沟底部放置了H-脯氨酸，放射自显影显示犁鼻器中有大量放射性物质。在主嗅觉上皮中没有明显的放射性物质积累。鼻唇沟堵塞的蝾螈在其鼻唇沟或犁鼻上皮中没有明显的物质积累，尽管一些蝾螈在犁鼻器后部有通过内鼻孔进入的放射性物质。位于鼻唇沟后缘附近靠前的犁鼻器可能确保轻敲鼻子主要刺激犁鼻感觉上皮。
