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

Abstract

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. © 2010 Koninklijke Brill NV, Leiden.