The Complex Vomeronasal Structure of Dipsochelys Giant Tortoises and its Identification as a True Jacobson's Organ

Author: Gerlach, J.

Source: The Herpetological Journal, Volume 15, Number 1, January 2005 , pp. 15-20(6)

Publisher: British Herpetological Society

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Abstract:

The nasal structure of the western Indian Ocean Dipsochelys giant tortoises is described. These tortoises are known to possess structures facilitating 'nasal drinking'. Additional unique nasal features include the processus dorsalis vomerinus supporting an enlarged medial nasal gland and a 'tuberculum palatinum'. The medial nasal gland can be considered homologous to the vomeronasal organ (Jacobson's organ) and is connected directly to the tuberculum palatinum in the buccal cavity through the foramina praepalatina. An homologous vomeronasal organ with a direct buccal connection is also identified in existing literature accounts of the leatherback turtle Dermochelys coriacea and may have been overlooked in other Chelonia.

Keywords: CHELONIA; OLFACTION; TORTOISE; PALATINE GLAND; PHEROMONES

Document Type: Research article

Publication date: 2005-01-01

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The Herpetological Journal is an international scientific journal that publishes papers on the natural history of amphibians and reptiles. Experimental, observational and theoretical studies are published along with reviews and book reviews. Faunistic lists, letters and results of general surveys are not published unless they shed light on herpetological problems of wider significance.
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