The present study aims to compare the morphology of the oropharyngeal roof of young and adult domestic pigeon (Columba livia domestica) by gross observation, morphometric measurements, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The oropharyngeal roof was divided into the palate and pharyngeal roof. The palate was narrow triangular in shape and concave along its length. It could be divided into a rostral part contained three longitudinal palatine ridges and a caudal part contained the choanal slit. The choanal slit consisted of narrow rostral and wide caudal parts. The edges of the narrow part were encircled by small caudomedially directed papillae. On the contrary, the edges of the wide part of slit were free from papillae. By SEM, the palatal mucosa in young pigeon showed primordia of small papillae which increased in number and size forming a longitudinal row of papillae parallel to the edges of the rostral narrow part of slit in adult pigeon. The surface of the pharyngeal roof appeared smooth in young pigeon, while in adult pigeon, it showed dome‐shaped elevations. The infundibular cleft had smooth edges. The caudal part of the pharyngeal roof formed an elevated transverse mucosal fold on which a transverse row of conical‐shaped papillae was present. In conclusion, our results documented the presence of some differences between the oropharyngeal roof of young and adult pigeon, which suggest a high degree of functional adaptation in adult pigeon to their diet compared to young pigeon. Such adaptations might increase the efficiency of food prehension in adult pigeon.

中文翻译：

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幼鸽和成年家鸽（Columba livia domestica）口咽屋顶的肉眼和扫描电镜的比较研究。

本研究旨在比较幼鸽和成年家鸽（Columba livia domestica）口咽顶的形态。），肉眼观察，形态测量和扫描电子显微镜（SEM）。口咽的屋顶分为the和咽的屋顶。口感呈窄三角形，沿其长度呈凹形。它可以分为一个包含三个纵向longitudinal脊的延髓部和一个包含缝隙的尾部。胸沟由狭窄的鼻尖和较宽的尾部组成。狭窄的部位的边缘被小正中的小乳头包围。相反，狭缝的宽阔部分的边缘没有乳头。通过SEM，幼鸽的mu粘膜表现出小乳头的原基，小乳头的数量和大小增加，形成了与成年乳鸽的狭缝的唇状狭窄部分的边缘平行的纵向的一排乳突。幼鸽的咽顶表面光滑，而成年鸽则呈圆顶状。漏斗状裂口边缘光滑。咽部顶板的尾部形成一个升高的横向粘膜褶皱，上面有一个圆锥形乳头的横向行。总之，我们的研究结果表明，幼鸽和成年鸽的口咽顶之间存在一些差异，这表明与幼鸽相比，成年鸽对其饮食的功能适应性更高。这样的适应措施可能会提高成年鸽对食物的饲养效率。咽部顶板的尾部形成一个升高的横向粘膜褶皱，上面有一个圆锥形乳头的横向行。总之，我们的研究结果表明，幼鸽和成年鸽的口咽顶之间存在一些差异，这表明与幼鸽相比，成年鸽对其饮食的功能适应性更高。这样的适应措施可能会提高成年鸽对食物的饲养效率。咽部顶板的尾部形成一个升高的横向粘膜褶皱，上面有一个圆锥形乳头的横向行。总之，我们的研究结果表明，幼鸽和成年鸽的口咽顶之间存在一些差异，这表明与幼鸽相比，成年鸽对其饮食的功能适应性更高。这样的适应措施可能会提高成年鸽对食物的饲养效率。