Fine structure of the vomeronasal neuroepithelium of bats: a comparative study

The vomeronasal neuroepithelium of the vampire bat, Desmodus rotundus, and the frugivorous bats, Carollia perspicillata and Artibeus jamaicensis, was examined at the light-microscopic and ultrastructural levels. The neuroepithelium of these species is basically similar in morphology to that of other mammals. However, hitherto unknown differences were noted in regard to the configuration of the apical poles of cells, in the occurrence of solitary cilia, dislocated sensory cells, brush cells, cell contacts and the occurrence and fine structure of basal cells. The morphology of the vomeronasal neuroepithelium of all three species is discussed from a comparative point of view in regard to chemoreception.