Anatomical and scanning electron microscopic investigations of the tongue and laryngeal entrance in the long‐legged buzzard (Buteo rufinus, cretzschmar, 1829)

Abstract

This research aimed to examine the morphological features of the tongue and laryngeal entrance of long-legged buzzard by macroscopic and scanning electron microscopic methods. Two adult buzzards were used as material. The tongue was fairly elongated and terminated in oval shovel-like apex. Scale-like projections were localized on the apex and body of tongue. Both lateral sides of lingual body were contained considerably long thread-like projections. Many orifices of lingual posterior salivary glands were discerned among scale-like projections in median sulcus of the lingual body. Papillary crest of sharp conical papilla were observed on the between the body and root of the tongue. No conical papillae or other projections were existent on the root of the tongue, but numerous orifices of posterior salivary gland ducts were detected. In addition, orifices of anterior salivary gland ducts were present on the dorsal and lateral surfaces of the lingual body. Numerous conical papillae were observed on the caudal region of glottis and no conical papillae or any similar projection which were bordered the glottic fissure was noted. Anatomy of these organs in the long-legged buzzard and white tailed eagle which are the member of the same family, Accipitridae, revealed very high similarity.

Macroanatomic, light microscopic, and scanning electron microscopic studies of the tongue in the seagull (Larus fuscus) and common buzzard (Buteo buteo)

“…Although the tongue is generally triangular in the European magpie, common raven (Erdogan et al . ), white‐tailed eagle (Jackowiak and Godynicki ), stork (Tütüncü et al . ), quail and chicken (Nickel et al .…”

“…,b), common raven (Erdogan et al . ), common quail (Parchami et al . ), long‐legged buzzard (Erdogan et al .…”

“…), long‐legged buzzard (Erdogan et al . ), and owl (Emura and Chen ). The same structures have also been studied with electron microscopy.…”

Relating form to function in the hummingbird feeding apparatus

“…These two flaps are located and oriented at the same place and in the same general direction as the papillary crest in other birds. Nevertheless, these structures do not present caudally directed conical papillae, as is usual in avian tongues (e.g., Erdoğan & Alan, 2012; Erdoǧan, Pèrez & Alan, 2012). In comparison to the width of the tongue, these flaps are greatly elongated laterally in Sicklebill hummingbirds ( Eutoxeres , Fig.…”

“…These flaps are thin and flexible at touch, as well as positioned dorso-laterally forming a V-shaped structure. These flaps in hummingbirds have no parallel among nectar-feeding birds (Lucas, 1894; Scharnke, 1932; Scharnke, 1933; Rand, 1961; Rand, 1967; Bock, 1972; Morioka, 1992; Pratt, 1992; Downs, 2004; Chang et al, 2013), or birds in general (e.g., Erdoğan & Alan, 2012; Erdoğan, Sağsöz & Akbalik, 2012; Erdoǧan, Pèrez & Alan, 2012; Erdoğan & Iwasaki, 2014; Erdoğan & Pérez, 2015). I hypothesize that the alae linguae could aid to move the nectar backwards during its intraoral transport (Rico-Guevara, 2014) and to drag proximally arthropod prey that are caught at different places along the bill length (cf.…”