Taste buds and vomeronasal olfaction in some primates

Borcherding, F.; Wöhrmann-Repenning, Angela

doi:10.1016/j.mambio.2006.06.006

Cited by 3 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 5 publications

(4 reference statements)

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“…Several analogous findings in mammals have already been reported by our group (Wöhrmann-Repenning, 1978, 1993; Wöhrmann-Repenning and Bergmann, 2001; Schmidt and Wöhrmann- Repenning, 2004;Borcherding and Wöhrmann-Repenning, 2007). In mammals taste buds quite often appear within the epithelium of the papilla palatina just inside the nasopalatine ducts into which the VNO are opening, and a co-operation of both sensory systems seems likely (Wöhrmann-Repenning, 1993).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 83%

“…Taste buds either located near to the entrance of the VNO, or on a special rostral part of the dorsum linguae, seem to be closely related to its function (Wöhrmann-Repenning, 1993;Schmidt and Wöhrmann-Repenning, 2004;Borcherding and Wöhrmann-Repenning, 2007). Similar reports on squamate reptiles already debate the existence of a dual chemosensory system involving vomeronasal olfaction and gustation as well.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 89%

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On the presence of taste buds close to the vomeronasal organs in Gekkonidae

2010

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Examination of four different species of the squamate family Gekkonidae revealed a well developed paired vomeronasal organ (VNO) in each of them. The organs display a globular or ovoid shape and are situated underneath the nasal cavity within the rostral palate. They are in contact with the oral cavity by short, laterally curved vomeronasal ducts. In all species investigated in this study taste buds were found close to the oral orifices of the ducts, embedded into the epithelium of the area in between them. These taste buds are very likely to be involved in the function of the VNO. This conclusion is supported by similar findings in various mammals.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 83%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 89%

On the presence of taste buds close to the vomeronasal organs in Gekkonidae

2010

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“…In light of the microanatomy described here, and licking investigative behaviors noted in some previous studies [Bailey, ; Crawford et al, ; Dugmore et al, ; Palagi & Norscia, ], we suggest a synergistic chemosensory reception is important regarding nonvolatile signals by L. catta , one which also involves gustation. Such a close link between “vomerolfaction” and gustation was previously suggested by some other authors [Evans, ; Borcherding & Wöhrmann‐Repenning, ]. It has been postulated that mammals with oral communications to the VNO employ direct lip and rhinarial contact to access chemostimuli [Evans, ; Poran et al, ; Poran, ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 61%

“…The papilla is well innervated with afferent nerves, as confirmed by beta tubulin immunohistochemistry (although the presence of Merkel cells requires confirmation of more specific staining or electron microscopy) and a large number of taste buds as observed in both the female and male L. catta . These have been previously described in primates [Hofer, , ], and it is notable that their presence was not detected in a previous study of L. catta [Schmidt & Wöhrmann‐Repenning, ; Borcherding & Wöhrmann‐Repenning, ]. They may therefore be difficult to detect in some specimens or aberrantly absent.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 79%

The vomeronasal organ of Lemur catta

Smith

Muchlinski

Bhatnagar

et al. 2014

American J Primatol

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The vomeronasal organ (VNO), also known as the Jacobson's organ, is a bilateral chemosensory organ found at the base of the nasal cavity specialized for the detection of higher-molecular weight (non-volatile) chemostimuli. It has been linked to pheromone detection. The VNO has been well studied in nocturnal lemurs and lorises, but poorly studied in diurnal/cathemeral species despite the large repertoire of olfactory behaviors noted in species such as Lemur catta. Here, the VNO and associated structures were studied microanatomically in one adult female and one adult male L. catta. Traditional and immunohistochemical procedures demonstrate the VNO epithelium consists of multiple rows of sensory neurons. Immunoreactivity to Growth-associated protein 43 (GAP43) indicates the VNO is postnatally neurogenic. In volume, the VNO neuroepithelium scales similarly to palatal length compared to nocturnal strepsirrhines. Numerous taste buds present at the oral opening to the nasopalatine duct, with which the VNO communicates, provide an additional (or alternative) explanation for the flehmen behavior that has been observed in this species. The VNO of L. catta is shown to be microanatomically comparable to that of nocturnal strepsirrhines. Like nocturnal strepsirrhines, the VNO of L. catta may be functional in the reception of high-molecular weight secretions.

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“…For instance, flehmen may serve to link the olfactory and gustatory senses. Several mammalian species possess taste buds located in the epithelium of the palatine papillae [Borcherding & Wöhrmann-Repenning, 2007;Hofer, 1977;Schmidt & Wöhrmann-Repenning, 2004;Wöhrmann-Repenning, 1978], the presence, specific location, and function of which are highly variable across species [Schmidt & Wöhrmann-Repenning, 2004]. Assuming the presence of receptor organs such as taste buds, flehmen in the mandrill may facilitate gustatory processing of chemical signals.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nasopalatine Ducts and Flehmen Behavior in the Mandrill: Reevaluating Olfactory Communication in Old World Primates

Charpentier

Mboumba

Ditsoga

et al. 2013

American J Primatol

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Compared to other modes of communication, chemical signaling between conspecifics generally has been overlooked in Old World primates, despite the presence in this group of secretory glands and scent-marking behavior, as well as the confirmed production and perception of olfactory signals. In other mammalian species, flehmen is a behavior thought to transport primarily nonvolatile, aqueous-soluble odorants via specialized ducts to the vomeronasal organ (VNO). By contrast, Old World primates are traditionally thought to lack a functional VNO, relying instead on the main olfactory system to process volatile odorants from their environment. Here, in the mandrill (Mandrillus sphinx), we document unusual morphological and behavioral traits that typically are associated with the uptake of conspecific chemical cues for processing by an accessory olfactory system. Notably, we confirmed that both sexes possess open nasopalatine ducts and, in response to the presentation of conspecific odorants, we found that both sexes showed stereotyped behavior consistent with the flehmen response. If, as in other species, flehmen in the mandrill serves to mediate social or reproductive information, we expected its occurrence to vary with characteristics of either the signaler or receiver. Flehmen, particularly in a given male, occurred most often in response to odorants derived from male, as opposed to female, conspecifics. Moreover, odorants derived during the breeding season elicited more flehmen responses than did odorants collected during the birthing season. Lastly, odorants from reproductively cycling females also elicited more responses than did odorants from contracepted females. Although confirming a link between the nasopalatine ducts, flehmen behavior, and olfactory processing in mandrills would require further study, our observations provide new information to suggest anatomical variability within Old World primates, calling further attention to the underappreciated role of chemical communication in this lineage.

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Taste buds and vomeronasal olfaction in some primates

Cited by 3 publications

References 5 publications

On the presence of taste buds close to the vomeronasal organs in Gekkonidae

On the presence of taste buds close to the vomeronasal organs in Gekkonidae

The vomeronasal organ of Lemur catta

Nasopalatine Ducts and Flehmen Behavior in the Mandrill: Reevaluating Olfactory Communication in Old World Primates

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