The tectorial membrane of the lizard ear: Species variations

This is the authors' abstract. We don't add key points for this paper.

The forms of the tectorial membrane and its connections to the ciliary tufts of the hair cells have been studied in detail in 18 species of lizards and, less thoroughly, in three others. This group, which represents eight lizard families, exhibits three forms of tectorial membrane: a complete form that connects to all parts of the auditory papilla, an abbreviated form that makes this connection only in one limited region of the papilla, and a dendritic form in which the distal portion of the membrane subdivides into strands reaching all the hair cells. Sometimes the tectorial membrane connects directly with the tufts of the hair cells, but more often it makes this connection through intermediary structures. Seven types of such intermediary structures have been identified (if we include the sallet, which is not “intermediate” in a strict sense). Detailed descriptions are given of the various forms of tectorial membrane structures and their variations along the auditory papilla in 12 lizard species. The description for Iguana iguana is offered as representative of the iguanid pattern found in ten members of this family. Consideration is given to the functioning of the tectorial membrane, and also of the sallet, in the process of hair‐cell stimulation.