Ecomorphological and Age-Related Adaptations in the Tongues of (Spectacled Porpoise) and (Burmeister's Porpoise) (Phocoenidae: Cetacea)

Overview

Journal Animals (Basel)

Date 2024 Dec 17

PMID 39682446

Authors

Cleopatra Mara Loza

Carolina Natalia Zanuzzi

Laura Beatriz Andrini

Cecilia Mariana Krmpotic

Alejo Carlos Scarano

Juan Pablo Loureiro

Claudio Gustavo Barbeito

Alfredo Armando Carlini

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Vertebrates' tongues reflect part of their adaptations to diverse feeding strategies, the types of food items they eat, and the environments where they live. Our contribution was to analyze the macro- and microscopic morphology of the tongues of two porpoise species ( and ; juveniles and adults), whose biology is little known. Macroscopic and microscopic studies (conventional histology, scanning electron microscopy, immunohistochemistry, and morphometry) were performed. Differences between juvenile and adult individuals of the same species, as well as between juveniles and adults of both species, were found, probably related to their feeding and/or geographical distribution. In addition, novel aspects related to ontogenetic morphological differences, thermoregulation, and immune system components were described. We found a lingual countercurrent vascular system (periarterial venous retia), only mentioned for mysticetes and (never for smaller odontocetes). In addition, we identified mechanoreceptors (lamellar corpuscles). Both species showed marginal papillae, but only in were small (probably vestigial) taste buds observed. Finally, lingual lymphoid aggregates were found.

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