Occurrence, Distribution and Functional Significance of Taste Buds in Lizards

The tongue and oral epithelium beneath and lateral to the tongue have been examined in 37 species of lizard representing all families except the Helodermatidae and Lanthonotidae. Taste buds occur in all species examined except Varanus indicus (Varanidae). They are found on the tongues of all remaining species except Gonatodes antillensis (Gekkonidae) and in the oral epithelia of all species except Chamaeleo jacksoni (Chamaeleonidae). Taste buds may be abundant, particularly in the Iguanidae, in which densities greater than 104/mm2 occur. These observations are contrary to statements in the literature which have assumed taste buds to be rare or absent in lizards.