Anatomical and Scanning Electron Microscopic Study of the Tongue in the Meerkat (Suricata suricatta, Schreber, 1776)

This research presents the first anatomical description of the tongue and lingual papillae of the meerkat and compares the different information on the morphology of the other carnivore species. For this purpose, three tongues were used as material. The tongue was elongated with an oval or rounded apex. On the dorsal and ventrolateral surfaces of the tongue, filiform papillae had extent variations in morphology. Papillary body of each filiform papilla on the ventrolateral surface of the lingual body was ramified into 2-5 glovelike projections, and all pointed tips of these projections were directed caudally. On the dorsal lingual surface, each filiform papilla leaned on another without any space and both lateral borders of each filiform papilla included 4-6 small secondary projections or spines. A few rounded fungiform papillae were randomly distributed and embedded among the filiform papillae. On the caudal one-third of the body, there were two elongated circumvallate papillae. Some superficial fissures and taste pores were detected on the flat surfaces of each circumvallate papilla which was surrounded by a prominent and continuous gustatory groove. On the radix of the tongue, numerous dome-shaped protuberances of lingual salivary glands beneath the epithelium and one centrally located orificium was very invincible on the convex surface of each protuberance. Anatomical distribution of lingual papillae differed from those of other carnivores and represented morphological adaptation to the food type and feeding habits.