Smith K K
J Morphol. 1986 Mar;187(3):261-87. doi: 10.1002/jmor.1051870302.
The morphology and function of the tongue and hyoid apparatus in Varanus were examined by anatomical and experimental techniques. Morphological features unique to Varanus include a highly protrusible tongue that has lost a roughened dorsal surface, an exceptionally strong and mobile hyobranchial apparatus, a well-defined joint between the ceratohyal and anterior process, and a series of distinct muscles inserting at the anterior hyobranchial region. Varanus is also unusual among lizards in a number of feeding behaviors; it ingests prey entirely by inertial feeding, as the tongue does not participate in food transport. Further specializations include an increased reliance on hyobranchial movements in drinking and pharyngeal packing and compression. The long, narrow tongue is most likely related to the mechanics of tongue protrusion; the increased amount, strength, and complexity of hyobranchial movement is related to the fact that the hyobranchium in Varanus replaces the tongue in many functions. Previous hypotheses for the origin of these adaptations are discussed, and the difficulties of attributing these specializations to any specific scenario of adaptation or constraint are emphasized.
通过解剖学和实验技术对巨蜥的舌头和舌骨器的形态及功能进行了研究。巨蜥特有的形态特征包括：舌头高度可伸展，背面失去粗糙表面；舌骨器异常强壮且灵活；角舌骨与前突之间有明确的关节；一系列不同的肌肉附着于舌骨前区。巨蜥在许多进食行为方面在蜥蜴中也很独特；它完全通过惯性进食摄取猎物，因为舌头不参与食物运输。进一步的特化包括在饮水以及咽部填充和压缩过程中对舌骨运动的依赖性增加。细长的舌头很可能与舌头伸展的力学原理有关；舌骨运动的数量、强度和复杂性增加与巨蜥的舌骨在许多功能上取代舌头这一事实有关。讨论了关于这些适应性起源的先前假说，并强调了将这些特化归因于任何特定适应或限制情况的困难。
