Sublingual plicae (anterior processes) are not necessary for garter snake vomeronasal function.

The anterior processes of snakes may transfer odorants from the tongue to the vomeronasal (VN) organ. To test whether the anterior processes are required for a vomeronasally mediated behavior, the authors tested garter snakes (Thamnophis sirtalis) preoperatively and after cauterization of the anterior processes or control cauterization with artificial earthworms covered with earthworm wash (EWW) or distilled water. Snakes in both groups attacked EWW-covered artificial worms but not controls both pre- and postoperatively. In addition, snakes with anterior processes cauterization or control cauterization tongue flicked 3H-proline. Radioautographs of the VN organs of snakes with and without anterior processes were indistinguishable: Snakes in both groups had reduced silver grains over the VN sensory epithelium as had been reported previously with intact snakes. These findings indicate that the anterior processes are unnecessary both for a behavior known to require a functional VN system and for delivery of odorants to the VN organ.

[1]  Terry D. Lee,et al.  Female-to-male sex pheromones of low volatility in the Asian elephant,Elephas maximus , 1993, Journal of Chemical Ecology.

[2]  Y. Luo,et al.  Identification of chemoattractant receptors and G-proteins in the vomeronasal system of garter snakes. , 1994, The Journal of biological chemistry.

[3]  B. Young.  Evaluating hypotheses for the transfer of stimulus particles to Jacobson's organ in snakes. , 1993, Brain, behavior and evolution.

[4]  J. Kubie,et al.  Electrophysiological analysis of the nasal chemical senses in garter snakes. , 1993, Brain, behavior and evolution.

[5]  M. Halpern,et al.  Purification and characterization of a chemoattractant from electric shock-induced earthworm secretion, its receptor binding, and signal transduction through the vomeronasal system of garter snakes. , 1990, The Journal of biological chemistry.

[6]  M. Halpern,et al.  Isolation from earthworms of a proteinaceous chemoattractant to garter snakes. , 1988, Archives of biochemistry and biophysics.

[7]  M. Halpern.  The organization and function of the vomeronasal system. , 1987, Annual review of neuroscience.

[8]  M. Meredith,et al.  Effects of volatile and nonvolatile chemical signals on male sex behaviors mediated by the main and accessory olfactory systems. , 1984, Behavioral neuroscience.

[9]  F. Macrides,et al.  Chemical studies of hamster vaginal discharge: Effects of endocrine ablation and protein digestion on behaviorally active macromolecular fractions , 1984, Physiology & Behavior.

[10]  F. Macrides,et al.  Male hamster copulatory responses to a high molecular weight fraction of vaginal discharge: Effects of vomeronasal organ removal , 1984, Physiology & Behavior.

[11]  F. Macrides,et al.  Chemical studies of hamster vaginal discharge: Male behavioral responses to a high molecular weight fraction require physical contact , 1984, Physiology & Behavior.

[12]  M. Halpern,et al.  Preliminary characterization of response-eliciting components of earthworm extract , 1983, Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior.

[13]  D. L. Clark,et al.  Snake tongue-flicking: transfer mechanics to Jacobson's organ , 1981 .

[14]  J. Kubie,et al.  Chemical access to the vomeronasal organs of garter snakes , 1980, Physiology & Behavior.

[15]  C. Wysocki.  Neurobehavioral evidence for the involvement of the vomeronasal system in mammalian reproduction , 1979, Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews.

[16]  R. Silverstein,et al.  Chemical signals : vertebrates and aquatic invertebrates , 1980 .

[17]  F. Macrides,et al.  Chemical Studies of Hamster Reproductive Pheromones , 1980 .

[18]  M. Halpern,et al.  Roles of the vomeronasal and olfactory systems in prey attack and feeding in adult garter snakes , 1979, Physiology & Behavior.

[19]  J. Kubie,et al.  Brevital Sodium: An Effective Anesthetic Agent for Performing Surgery on Small Reptiles , 1977 .

[20]  G. Burghardt,et al.  Role of the tongue and senses in feeding of naive and experienced garter snakes , 1975, Physiology & Behavior.

[21]  J. Falk.  Physiology and Behavior. , 1973 .

[22]  G. Burghardt.  Stimulus control of the prey attack response in naive garter snakes , 1966 .

[23]  W. S. Wilde.  The role of Jacobson's organ in the feeding reaction of the common garter snake, Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis (Linn.) , 1938 .

[24]  D. Bodian.  The staining of paraffin sections of nervous tissues with activated protargol. The role of fixatives , 1937 .

[25]  D. Bodian.  A new method for staining nerve fibers and nerve endings in mounted paraffin sections , 1936 .