Nasal cavity of green sea turtles contains three independent sensory epithelia.

Nasal cavity of green sea turtles contains three independent sensory epithelia. Chem Senses. 2019 Jun 01;: Authors: Kondoh D, Kitayama C, Yamaguchi Y, Yanagawa M, Kawai YK, Suzuki C, Itakura R, Fujimoto A, Satow T, Kondo S, Sato T Abstract The morphological and histological features of the nasal cavity are diverse among animal species, and the nasal cavities of terrestrial and semi-aquatic turtles possess two regions lined with each different types of sensory epithelium. Sea turtles can inhale both of volatile and water-soluble odorants with high sensitivity, but details of the architectural features and the distribution of the sensory epithelia within the sea turtle nasal cavity remain uncertain. The present study analyzed the nasal cavity of green sea turtles using morphological, computed tomographic and histological methods. We found that the middle region of the sea turtle nasal cavity is divided into anterodorsal, anteroventral and posterodorsal diverticula and a posteroventral excavation by connective tissue containing cartilages. The posterodorsal diverticulum was lined with a thin sensory epithelium, and the anterodorsal and anteroventral diverticula were occupied by a single thick sensory epithelium. In addition, a relatively small area on the posteroventral excavation was covered by independent sensory epithelium that differed from other two types of epithelia, and a single thin bundle derived from the posteroventral excava...
Source: Chemical Senses - Category: Biochemistry Authors: Tags: Chem Senses Source Type: research