Morphology of the lingual papillae of the Asian short-clawed otter.

We examined the dorsal lingual surface of an adult Asian short-clawed otter (Aonyx cinerea) by using scanning electron microscopy. The filiform papilla on the lingual apex had some pointed processes. The connective tissue core of the filiform papillae consisted of several rod-like processes, and the connective tissue core with a long process was rarely observed. The filiform papilla on the lingual body had several pointed processes and the fungiform papilla had smooth surface. The connective tissue core of the filiform papillae consisted of a large main and several small processes. The vallate papillae were surrounded by a groove and some pads, and many processes were observed on this surface. The tongue of the Asian short-clawed otter was different from that of the Japanese marten belong to family Mustelidae.