Ferraz Rafaella Sousa, Corrêa Lukas Allayn Diniz, Calvet Margareth Cavalcante Ribeiro, Santiago Paula Maria Mesquita, da Silva Teófilo Tiago, de Oliveira Radan Elvis Matias, Martins Adriano Luis, Barreto Larissa Nascimento, Silva Melaine Mont'Alverne Lawall
Biological Sciences and Health Center, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís- MA, Brazil.
Nucleus of Oncology Research, Federal University of Pará, Belém-PA, Brazil.
Anat Histol Embryol. 2023 May;52(3):519-527. doi: 10.1111/ahe.12908. Epub 2023 Feb 17.
Morphological studies on the oropharyngeal cavity of turtles are an interesting tool in understanding evolutionary processes associated with feeding habits. There is paucity of morphological information on the oropharyngeal cavity of the Trachemys adiutrix turtle. Thus, the aim of this study was to describe the tongue and palate morphology of T. adiutrix to establish a standard model for the species, providing information that may improve knowledge on the species feeding habits. Gross dissection, light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy assessments of 11 specimens were carried out. The tongue of T. adiutrix is triangular with a slightly rounded apex and broad base and lingual papillae widely distributed throughout the entire dorsal surface. The palate is composed of bony structures, displaying a triangular apex with one pair of choanae and palatine raphe that begin in the middle region, dividing the two openings. The body was elongated and smooth. The root was wrinkled and opened into the oesophagus. The tongue was lined by non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium, rich in mucous cells and a large number of different-shaped papillae and taste buds. The palate was mainly lined by a pseudostratified cylindrical ciliated epithelium rich in mucous cells. In conclusion, the tongue and palate characteristics of T. adiutrix include evidence that these animals are semiaquatic, displaying morphological characteristics associated with aquatic and terrestrial trophic ecology, similar to that observed in other semiaquatic and terrestrial chelonian species.
对龟类口咽腔的形态学研究是理解与摄食习惯相关的进化过程的一个有趣工具。关于彩龟口咽腔的形态学信息匮乏。因此，本研究的目的是描述彩龟的舌和腭的形态，为该物种建立一个标准模型，提供可能增进对该物种摄食习惯了解的信息。对11个标本进行了大体解剖、光学显微镜和扫描电子显微镜评估。彩龟的舌呈三角形，顶端略圆，基部宽阔，舌乳头广泛分布于整个背面。腭由骨质结构组成，呈三角形顶端，有一对鼻后孔和腭中缝，腭中缝始于中部区域，将两个开口分开。主体细长且光滑。根部有皱纹，通向食管。舌由非角化复层鳞状上皮衬里，富含黏液细胞以及大量不同形状的乳头和味蕾。腭主要由富含黏液细胞的假复层柱状纤毛上皮衬里。总之，彩龟的舌和腭的特征表明这些动物是半水生的，呈现出与水生和陆地营养生态相关的形态特征，类似于在其他半水生和陆地龟类物种中观察到的情况。
