Gross anatomical features of the tongue, lingual skeleton and laryngeal mound of Rhea americana (Palaeognathae, Aves) : morpho-functional considerations

dc.contributor.authorCrole, Martina Rachel
dc.contributor.authorSoley, John Thomson
dc.contributor.emailmartina.crole@up.ac.zaen
dc.date.accessioned2012-11-15T08:09:00Z
dc.date.available2012-11-15T08:09:00Z
dc.date.issued2012-09
dc.description.abstractThe tongue body of Rhea americana is triangular and partially pigmented with each caudo-lateral margin displaying a round, sub-divided lingual papilla. The tongue root is a smooth, non-pigmented tract of mucosa. The tongue body is supported by the paraglossum and distal half of the rostral projection of the basihyal (RPB), and the tongue root by the proximal half of the RPB, body of the basihyal and proximal ceratobranchials. An urohyal is absent; however, peculiar to R. americana, the caudal margin of the cricoid body displays a median projection, which may represent the remnant of the urohyal incorporated into the cricoid. The laryngeal mound is less elevated, the arytenoid cartilages are smaller than in other ratites, and the caudal margin displays pharyngeal papillae that vary in shape and number. The unique morphology of the lingual skeleton and its positioning within the tongue of R. americana, the rostral insertion of the M. ceratoglossus, the absence of the urohyal (enhanced ventroflexion) and the caudal positioning and mobile attachment of the ensheathed basihyal to the paraglossum would appear to allow independent movement of the tongue body relative to the hyobranchial apparatus. Additionally, the deeply indented base and rostral oval opening in the paraglossum limits the length of cartilage present in the midline of the tongue body. This may allow the tongue the necessary flexibility for the lingual papillae to clean the choana. The cleaning action of the tongue would occur simultaneously with the previously described role of this organ and associated structures during feeding. Thus, the so-called reduced, ancestral tongue of R. americana may be structurally and functionally more complex than previously believed.en
dc.description.librarianab2012en
dc.description.sponsorshipThe National Research Foundation (NRF) and the University of Pretoria, South Africa,en
dc.description.urihttp://http://www.springer.com/life+sciences/animal+sciences/journal/435en
dc.identifier.citationCrole, M & Soley J 2012, 'Gross anatomical features of the tongue, lingual skeleton and laryngeal mound of Rhea americana (Palaeognathae, Aves) : morpho-functional considerations', Zoomorphology, vol. 131, no. 3, pp. 265-273, doi: 10.1007/s00435-012-0156-1.en
dc.identifier.issn0720-213X (print)
dc.identifier.issn1432-234X (online)
dc.identifier.other10.1007/s00435-012-0156-1
dc.identifier.other6701816856
dc.identifier.other36143778600
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/2263/20411
dc.language.isoenen
dc.publisherSpringeren
dc.rights© Springer-Verlag 2012. The original publication is available at www.springerlink.comen
dc.subjectRhea americanaen
dc.subjectParaglossumen
dc.subjectLaryngeal mounden
dc.subjectMorphologyen
dc.subject.lcshGreater rheaen
dc.subject.lcshVeterinary anatomyen
dc.subject.lcshGreater rhea -- Anatomyen
dc.subject.lcshMorphology (Animals)en
dc.subject.lcshLarynxen
dc.subject.lcshTongueen
dc.titleGross anatomical features of the tongue, lingual skeleton and laryngeal mound of Rhea americana (Palaeognathae, Aves) : morpho-functional considerationsen
dc.typePostprint Articleen

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