The Sublingua of <i>Lemur catta</i> and <i>Varecia variegata</i>: Only a Cleaning Function?
The sublingua is an anatomical structure located under the tongue. This rare organ can be present in some animals as a rudimentary structure, but among prosimian primates, such as lemurs and lorises, it is fully developed. In addition to the sublingua, prosimians have modified lower incisors and can...
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2025-01-01
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| author | Juan Francisco Pastor Magdalena Natalia Muchlinski Josep María Potau Aroa Casado Yolanda García-Mesa José Antonio Vega Roberto Cabo |
| author_facet | Juan Francisco Pastor Magdalena Natalia Muchlinski Josep María Potau Aroa Casado Yolanda García-Mesa José Antonio Vega Roberto Cabo |
| author_sort | Juan Francisco Pastor |
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| description | The sublingua is an anatomical structure located under the tongue. This rare organ can be present in some animals as a rudimentary structure, but among prosimian primates, such as lemurs and lorises, it is fully developed. In addition to the sublingua, prosimians have modified lower incisors and canines called “dental comb”. The anatomy of sublingua has been studied macro and microanatomically since the early 19th century. Most authors argue that the sublingua is an oral morphological adaptation to develop a toothbrush’s role in cleaning the dental comb. However, others assert that the functional role has yet to be established. Comparative studies of macro and microanatomy are scarce or incomplete for primates; thus, the putative function remains unclear. To better understand the functional significance of the sublingua, we studied this structure in <i>Lemur catta</i> and <i>Varecia variegata</i> specimens using histochemical staining techniques and scanning electron microscopy with microanalysis. The new data obtained provide a fuller picture of the role assigned to sublingua so far, which could be more complex. In light of the morphological findings, we should consider additional roles/functions of the sublingua, including but not limited to food processing, grooming or social behavior. |
| format | Article |
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| institution | Kabale University |
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| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
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| spelling | doaj-art-8700ab9a729d4c74bb8fef503242e6602025-01-24T13:18:23ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152025-01-0115227510.3390/ani15020275The Sublingua of <i>Lemur catta</i> and <i>Varecia variegata</i>: Only a Cleaning Function?Juan Francisco Pastor0Magdalena Natalia Muchlinski1Josep María Potau2Aroa Casado3Yolanda García-Mesa4José Antonio Vega5Roberto Cabo6Departamento de Anatomía y Radiología, GIR “Osteología y Anatomía Comparada”, Universidad de Valladolid, 47005 Valladolid, SpainAnatomical Sciences & Education Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USAUnidad de Anatomía y Embriología, Universidad de Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, SpainUnidad de Anatomía y Embriología, Universidad de Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, SpainDepartamento de Morfología y Biología Celular, Grupo SINPOS, Universidad de Oviedo, 33006 Oviedo, SpainDepartamento de Morfología y Biología Celular, Grupo SINPOS, Universidad de Oviedo, 33006 Oviedo, SpainDepartamento de Anatomía y Radiología, GIR “Osteología y Anatomía Comparada”, Universidad de Valladolid, 47005 Valladolid, SpainThe sublingua is an anatomical structure located under the tongue. This rare organ can be present in some animals as a rudimentary structure, but among prosimian primates, such as lemurs and lorises, it is fully developed. In addition to the sublingua, prosimians have modified lower incisors and canines called “dental comb”. The anatomy of sublingua has been studied macro and microanatomically since the early 19th century. Most authors argue that the sublingua is an oral morphological adaptation to develop a toothbrush’s role in cleaning the dental comb. However, others assert that the functional role has yet to be established. Comparative studies of macro and microanatomy are scarce or incomplete for primates; thus, the putative function remains unclear. To better understand the functional significance of the sublingua, we studied this structure in <i>Lemur catta</i> and <i>Varecia variegata</i> specimens using histochemical staining techniques and scanning electron microscopy with microanalysis. The new data obtained provide a fuller picture of the role assigned to sublingua so far, which could be more complex. In light of the morphological findings, we should consider additional roles/functions of the sublingua, including but not limited to food processing, grooming or social behavior.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/2/275<i>Lemur catta</i><i>Varecia variegata</i>lemursublinguascanning electron microscopy |
| spellingShingle | Juan Francisco Pastor Magdalena Natalia Muchlinski Josep María Potau Aroa Casado Yolanda García-Mesa José Antonio Vega Roberto Cabo The Sublingua of <i>Lemur catta</i> and <i>Varecia variegata</i>: Only a Cleaning Function? Animals <i>Lemur catta</i> <i>Varecia variegata</i> lemur sublingua scanning electron microscopy |
| title | The Sublingua of <i>Lemur catta</i> and <i>Varecia variegata</i>: Only a Cleaning Function? |
| title_full | The Sublingua of <i>Lemur catta</i> and <i>Varecia variegata</i>: Only a Cleaning Function? |
| title_fullStr | The Sublingua of <i>Lemur catta</i> and <i>Varecia variegata</i>: Only a Cleaning Function? |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Sublingua of <i>Lemur catta</i> and <i>Varecia variegata</i>: Only a Cleaning Function? |
| title_short | The Sublingua of <i>Lemur catta</i> and <i>Varecia variegata</i>: Only a Cleaning Function? |
| title_sort | sublingua of i lemur catta i and i varecia variegata i only a cleaning function |
| topic | <i>Lemur catta</i> <i>Varecia variegata</i> lemur sublingua scanning electron microscopy |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/2/275 |
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