Ontogenetic characteristics of the vomeronasal organ inSaguinus geoffroyiandLeontopithecus rosalia, with comparisons to other primates
Authors: Smith Timothy D. , Bhatnagar Kunwar P. , Bonar Christopher J. , Shimp Kristin L. , Mooney Mark P. , Siegel Michael I. 
Published: July 2003

AbstractIt has been suggested that the variability of the primate vomeronasal organ (VNO) may be greater than previously thought, especially among New World monkeys. It is not clear to what extent VNO variation reflects ontogenetic, functional, or phylogenetic differences among primates. The present study investigated VNO anatomy in an ontogenetic series of two genera of callitrichid primates, in order to assess recent attempts to develop VNO character states and to examine the evidence for VNO functionality at different life stages. A sample of sixLeontopithecus rosalia, oneL. chrysomelas, and sixSaguinus geoffroyiwas serially sectioned and stained using various methods. Two adultCallithrix jacchuswere also sectioned for comparative purposes. The VNO of each primate was examined by light microscopy along its entire rostrocaudal extent. VNOs of the tamarins were described to determine whether they fit into 1 of 3 character states recently attributed to various New World monkeys. At birth, the two species of tamarins differed in the nature of communication between the VNO and nasopalatine duct (NPD). Two of 3 neonatalS. geoffroyiexhibited a fused VNO duct in a more dorsal position (adjacent to the nasal cavity) compared to that ofL. rosalia. The VNO duct communicated with the NPD and was patent in neonatalL. rosalia. Both species appeared to have an age‐related increase in the amount of sensory epithelium in the VNO. SubadultL. rosaliahad caudal regions of the VNO that were exceptionally well‐developed, similar to those of strepsirhine primates. Compared to subadults, all adult callitrichids appeared to have more ventral communications of the VNO duct directly into the NPD. AdultS. geoffroyiandL. chrysomelasboth had VNO sensory epithelium separated by multiple patches of nonsensory epithelium. This contrasted with the VNOs ofC. jacchus, which had a nearly continuous distribution of receptors on all surfaces of the VNO. The findings indicate that tamarins have delayed maturation of the VNO epithelium, and that some species have little or no perinatal function. These results also suggest that ontogenetic changes in craniofacial form may alter the position of the VNO in tamarins. The present study supports the use of at least two character states to categorize the VNO of various callitrichids, but it is suggested that one of these, previously called “reduced sensory epithelium” should be instead termed “interrupted sensory epithelium.” The distribution of VNO sensory epithelium does not appear to reflect phylogenetic influences; it is more likely a functional characteristic that varies throughout postnatal life. Therefore, this chemosensory system has a high degree of plasticity relating to age and function, which in some instances can confound the use of characteristics as phylogenetic traits. Further study is needed to quantify VNO receptors in various species to determine if functional differences exist and if some species have more precocious VNO function than others. Am J Phys Anthropol 121:000–000, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.