BUCCAL AND LINGUAL ADAPTATIONS FOR FRUGIVORY AND NECTARIVORY IN WAHLBERG'S EPAULETTED FRUIT BAT

摘要

Wahlberg's epauletted fruit bat (Epomophorus wahlbergi) feeds on fleshy fruit and nectar of flowers. It is therefore important to understand the morphological structures adapted to this type of feeding, which would consequently support the role of these bats in pollination and seed dispersal. The aim of the study was to investigate the morphological structures adaptation to dietary intake of Wahlberg's epauletted fruit bat. Buccal cavity and lingual structures of E. wahlbergi were examined by extended focus light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Buccal cavity and tongue observation were made using Leica MZ 16 Stereomicroscope (Leica Microsystems, Switzerland) and images were obtained. For the viewing of the surface of the tongue and the structure at the back of the upper palate of the mouth, scanning electron microscope was used. Sections of tongue specimens of E. wahlbergi were observed from the apex, the mid-part and the posterior part of the tongue using SEM (ZEISS EVO LS15, Germany) at a voltage of 5.00 kV and images were captured.