Scanning Electron Microscopic Study of Lingual Papillae in the Indian Flying Fox (Pteropus giganteus)

Abstract

The morphology and distribution of the lingual papillae in the Indian flying fox was observed under scanning electron microscopy. The tongue was elongated with a sharpened apex that was 4.8-5.7cm in length and 1.2-1.5cm in width. The tongue was covered by mechanical papillae, fungiform papillae and three vallate papillae. Mechanical papillae can be divided into five types; scale-like, giant trifid, crown-like, large crown-like and conical papillae. The results of the study on the Indian lying fox showed a unique pattern of the distribution of the lingual papillae. In particular the giant trifid papillae were a unique charactaeristic of the Megachiropteran.