Reptiles chemoreception

The anatomical separation achieved by reptiles parallels the divergence of the main/accessory receptor categories. AOS chemoreception is assumed to elaborate its semiochemical responses by selective gains in ligand-capture efficiency and by alterations of threshold values. Once... 

Schwenk K. (1993). The evolution of chemoreception in squamate reptiles a phylogenetic approach. Brain Behav Evol 41, 124-137. 

The two components of the VN system examined in the present study are the vomeronasal organ and the accessory olfactory bulb. The VNO is a paired, chemoreceptive structure present at the base of the nasal septum in most terrestrial mammals, amphibians and reptiles. The VNO s bipolar receptor neurons detect pheromonal signals (Halpem, 1987 Farbman, 1992). 

CHEMORECEPTION IN THE HOMING AND ORIENTATION BEHAVIOR OF AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES, WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO SEA TURTLES... 

The importance of chemoreception in the life history of amphibians and reptiles has been reviewed on several occasions (Burghardt, 1970 ... 

One could broadly define chemical orientation to include food-finding and reproductive behaviors where chemoreception is involved however, we have chosen not to discuss these better known areas of amphibian and reptile behavior. On the other hand, where semiochemicals or conspecific habitat marking appear to have a function in home range factors or homing to a specific site, we have chosen to include the available data in this discussion. 

Researchers have not found it easy to design experiments that clearly indicate chemoreception to be the primary orientation system in amphibians and reptiles. In many cases (e.g., newts such as Taricha or chelonlans such Clemmys or Chelonia) chemoreception has been singled out as important for homing more by a process of elimination of the other senses than by sound laboratory and field research. 

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