The lingual dorsal surface of the adult little owl (Athene noctua) and fowl (Gallus gallus) were examined by light and scanning electron microscopy. The tongue of the fowl has an elongated triangular shape with pointed hard tip and flat dorsal surface. The tongue of the owl is conical in shape with a bifid tip that is covered by desquamated cells and its dorsal surface has a middle groove. Three parts were distinguished in the tongue of the two birds: the apex, the body, and the radix of the tongue. At the end of lingual body of the owl tongue there are large conical papillae. Where in the fowl a giant conical papillae are represented. The surface of the giant conical papillae adorn by flattened scales. In the tongue of the owl, the lingual glands are fewer than those in the fowl. The region of the orifices of the lingual glands occupies a wide area in the tongue of fowl. Taste and Merkel corpuscles are represented in the tongue of the fowl but not observed in the owl. The present comparative study of the tongues of the carnivorous little owl (Athene noctua) and the graniverous fowl (Gallus gallus) reflects a close relationship between the structures of the tongue and their feeding habits.
Key words: Tongue, SEM, morphology, Athene nocyua, Gallus gallus, feeding habits
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