THE VOMERONASAL ORGAN OF THE NEW-WORLD MONKEY SAGUINUS-FUSCICOLLIS (CALLITRICHIDAE) - A LIGHT AND TRANSMISSION ELECTRON-MICROSCOPIC STUDY

The vomeronasal organ (VNO) of the New World monkey Saguinus fuscicoll is (Callitrichidae) is located at the base of the most distal portion of the nasal septum opening into the nasal portion of the ductus nasop alatinus which also communicates with the oral cavity. The lumen of th e VNO is limited medially and laterally by a neuroepithelium which is devoid of intraepithelially located blood vessels and composed of rece ptor, supporting and basal cells. Ultrastructural analysis of the VNO of Saguinus fuscicollis reveals morphological features which lead one to postulate the functional capacity of this organ in these primates. A possible mechanism through which scent marks may be incorporated int o the VNO is discussed.