Gross Morphology and Distribution Patterns of Lingual Papillae in Some Geomyid and Heteromyid Rodents

There have been few studies of lingual morphology and associated papillae of rodents since a 1924 study restricted mostly to Old World taxa (1). This is especially applicable to the North American superfamily Geomyoidea. We examined the distribution patterns and types of lingual papillae for three geomyids and 12 heteromyid rodent species. All member taxa have a single circunivallate papilla, widespread filiform papillae, and fungiform papillae, which are restricted anteriorly on the tongue surface. The two families can be distinguished on the basis of variation of these characters. No further resolution is afforded within the geomyids. However, subfamilial levels of variation can be distinguished within the Heteromyidae, and findings are suggestive of specific differences between member species of the genera Perognathus, Chaetodipus, and Dipodomys.