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Science 29 May 1981:
Vol. 212. no. 4498, pp. 1045 - 1047
DOI: 10.1126/science.212.4498.1045
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Articles

Salt Glands in the Tongue of the Estuarine Crocodile Crocodylus porosus

LAURENCE E. TAPLIN 1 and GORDON C. GRIGG 1

1 School of Biological Sciences, University of Sydney, N.S.W. 2006, Australia

The apparent absence of salt glands in marine and estuarine Crocodilia has long been a puzzle. However, we have identified glands in the tongue of Crocodylus porosus which exude a concentrated secretion of sodium chloride. The glands are similar in ultrastructure to other reptilian salt glands and undoubtedly play a major role in electrolyte regulation.

Submitted on August 1, 1980
Revised on December 30, 1980


THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
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J. Exp. Biol. 211, 1482-1489
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Salt and water regulation by the leatherback sea turtle Dermochelys coriacea.
R. D. Reina, T. T. Jones, and J. R. Spotila (2002)
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