ODOR RESPONSES OF THE VOMERONASAL SYSTEM IN REEVE TURTLE, GEOCLEMYS-REEVESII

The number of vomeronasal receptor cells and olfactory receptor cells were determined in several turtles and tortoises. Using semi-aquatic t urtles with developed vomeronasal organs, neural responses to various odor stimuli were recorded as extracellular unitary spike responses of vomeronasal receptor cells, compound action potentials from vomeronas al nerve twigs, induced wave responses on the accessory olfactory bulb (AOB) surface and unitary responses of AOB neurons. The vomeronasal s ystem in turtles responded to various volatile and non-volatile chemic als. These results yield insights concerning functions of the vomerona sal organ in semi-aquatic turtles.