Morphology of the lingual papillae in the Egyptian rousette bat (Rousettus aegyptiacus)

Abstract

The dorsal lingual surface of the Egyptian rousette bat was examined by scanning electron microscopy. Filiform, fungiform and vallate papillae were observed. The filiform papillae were distributed over the entire dorsal surface of the tongue. The filiform papillae notably differed in morphology by their location on the tongue and could be classified into 5 types: 1) scalelike, 2) small crown-like, 3) giant trifid, 4) large crown-like, 5) conical papillae. The fungiform papillae were present rounded bodies on the anterior 2/3 of the tongue. The Egyptian rousette bat showed the a triangular arrangement of the three vallate papillae, with the apex of the triangle directed posteriorly. These findings indicate that the tongue of the Egyptian rousette bat is similar to that of the large flying fox.