Turtle 'super tongue' lets reptile survive underwater

[jimbob]

cool evolution story

http://news.bbc.co.uk/earth/hi/earth_news/newsid_8693000/8693794.stm

One type of turtle possesses an extraordinary organ that allows it to breathe underwater and stay submerged for many months.

The common musk turtle has a tiny tongue lined with specialised buds, scientists have discovered.

Rather than use this tongue for eating, the turtles use it to exchange oxygen, solving a mystery of how these reptiles can remain submerged for so long.

Details are published in journal The Anatomical Record.

 

[Paul C. Anagnostopoulos]

That is cool!

~~ Paul

 

[Alferd_Packer]

So that's how musks can sleep under lily pads.