NEW DATA ON THE TONGUE STRUCTURE IN THE SPRINGHARE, PEDETES CAPENSIS (RODENTIA, PEDETIDAE)

摘要

A highly specialised tongue structure in Pedetes capensis is documented in its proportions and in the distribution of different types of papillae on its dorsal side. The fixed part of the tongue is long, while its posterior part in the area of the lenticular papillae is greatly shortened. Neither a torus linguae nor any sulci are present on its dorsum. Circumvallate papillae are absent. The lateral organ is markedly enlarged. Numerous fungiform papillae are concentrated in two zones: at the tip of the tongue and on a low eminence at its base. The tongue of Pedetes is generally more similar to that of Anomalurus than to that of Idiurus. The similarity of tongue morphology in Pedetidae and Anomaluridae is based on features occurring not only in these families, but also appearing in other rodent taxa. Despite the specialised tongue structure in Pedetes, the data obtained do not contradict the hypothesis of a sister relationship between the above families, although this cannot be confirmed with certainty.