Biomechanics of the Hyolingual System in Squamata

Bels, Vincent; Chardon, Michel; Kardong, Kenneth V.

doi:10.1007/978-3-642-57906-6_8

Cited by 51 publications

(54 citation statements)

References 71 publications

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“…The m. branchiohyoideus is also striking and particularly well developed in lacertid lizards. This muscle is typically associated with the use of the hyobranchial apparatus as a display organ in lizards such as Anolis lizards and other iguanids (Bels, 1990;Font and Rome, 1990;Bels et al, 1994). Yet, unlike iguanids, lacertid lizards typically do not use extensive throat displays in agonistic interactions.…”

Section: Comparative Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparative functional analysis of the hyolingual anatomy in lacertid lizards

et al. 2005

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The tongue is often considered a key innovation in the evolution of a terrestrial lifestyle as it allows animals to transport food items through the oral cavity in air, a medium with low density and viscosity. The tongue has been secondarily coopted for a wide diversity of functions, including prey capture, drinking, breathing, and defensive behaviors. Within basal lizard groups, the tongue is used primarily for the purpose of prey capture and transport. In more derived groups, however, the tongue appears specialized for chemoreceptive purposes. Here we examine the tongue structure and morphology in lacertid lizards, a group of lizards where the tongue is critical to both food transport and chemoreception. Because of the different mechanical demands imposed by these different functions, regional morphological specializations of the tongue are expected. All species of lacertid lizards examined here have relatively light tongue muscles, but a well developed hyobranchial musculature that may assist during food transport. The intrinsic musculature, including verticalis, transversalis, and longitudinalis groups, is well developed and may cause the tongue elongation and retraction observed during chemoreception and drinking. The papillary morphology is complex and shows clear differences between the tongue tips and anterior fore-tongue, and the more posterior parts of the tongue. Our data show a subdivision between the fore-and hind-tongue in both papillary structure and muscular anatomy likely allowing these animals to use their tongues effectively during both chemoreception and prey transport. Moreover, our data suggest the importance of hyobranchium movements during prey transport in lacertid lizards.

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Section: Comparative Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparative functional analysis of the hyolingual anatomy in lacertid lizards

et al. 2005

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“…The position of the ceratobranchials is assumed to be fixed to the skull during tongue flicking (e.g. Bels et al, 1994). The mm.…”

Section: Tongue Morphologymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Snakes and some other squamates use forked tongues for chemo-and mechanoreception (Schwenk, 1994(Schwenk, , 1995Bels et al, 1994). During a probing action, the tongue protrudes, oscillates (flicks) while collecting airborne and substrate-fixed chemical particles and subsequently retracts (Ulinski, 1972;Gove, 1979).…”

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confidence: 99%

“…The pattern of tongue flicking is related to external stimuli, such as the presence of prey or predators, and involves behavioural and seasonal aspects (e.g. Chiszar et al, 1976Chiszar et al, , 1977Gove, 1979;Graves and Halpern, 1990;Bels et al, 1994).…”

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confidence: 99%

“…The intrinsic and extrinsic muscles involved were identified by morphological studies (Gnanamuthu, 1937;Hershkowitz, 1941;Frazzetta, 1966;Langebartel, 1968;Kier and Smith, 1985;Smith and Mackay, 1990), electromyographical recordings (Meredith and Burghardt, 1978;Smith, 1984Smith, , 1986Herrel et al 1998) and kinematic observations (Smith, 1984(Smith, , 1986Bels et al 1994;Herrel et al 1998). In contrast to several other squamate taxa, snake tongues lack hard skeletal support.…”

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confidence: 99%

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A three-dimensional kinematic analysis of tongue flicking in Python molurus

Groot

Sluijs

Snelderwaard

et al. 2004

Journal of Experimental Biology

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(20·mm) was reached during the first tongue flick. These observations are discussed within the scope of the biomechanical constraints of hydrostatic tongue protrusion: a negative forward pressure gradient, longitudinal tongue compliance and axial tongue stiffness. The three-dimensional deformation varied along the tongue with a mean curvature of 0.06·mm -1 and a maximum value of 0.5·mm -1 . At the basis of the anterior forked portion of the tongue tips, extreme curvatures up to 2.0·mm -1 were observed. These quantitative results support previously proposed inferences about a hydrostatic elongation mechanism and may serve to evaluate future dynamic models of tongue flicking.

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Kinematic analysis of the feeding behavior in the box turtleTerrapene carolina (L.), (Reptilia: Emydidae)

1997

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Kinematics of head, jaw, and tongue‐hyoid movements in capture and transport of mealworms by Terrapene carolina are described. Gape cycles are divided into slow‐opening, fast‐opening, fast‐closing and slow‐closing stages. The division of the slow‐opening stage into a depression of the lower jaw (SO I) and a stationary stage (SO II) during food transport is clearly related to forward movement and a pause of the tongue within the buccal cavity. Each phase is associated with a head extension and retraction cycle. Prey capture always involves lateral rotation of the head. Kinematics of capture and transport in this terrestrial chelonian share some of the basic characteristics of tetrapod feeding (tongue‐based intraoral transport, slow‐opening stage before fast‐opening). However, capture of mealworms does not involve lingual prehension, but only jaw movements. J. Exp. Zool. 277:198–212, 1997. © 1997 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

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Biomechanics of the Hyolingual System in Squamata

Cited by 51 publications

References 71 publications

Comparative functional analysis of the hyolingual anatomy in lacertid lizards

Comparative functional analysis of the hyolingual anatomy in lacertid lizards

A three-dimensional kinematic analysis of tongue flicking in Python molurus

Kinematic analysis of the feeding behavior in the box turtleTerrapene carolina (L.), (Reptilia: Emydidae)

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