Journal of Aquatic Ecology

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Sea snakes are the largest group of marine reptiles, but their role in the food chain in their habitats remains unknown. Histological studies of the oral cavity in sea snakes are essential to interpret food habits and to identify the structure of poison glands. The Present research is designed to study the Histology of the oral cavity in sea snake Hydrophis cyanocinctus. For this purpose, 6 individuals of sea snakes were collected from Minab, Hormozgan. Then the sections were taken from the Palate and floor of the mouth. Sections were stained by H&E and PAS, and observed with a light microscope. The results showed that the epithelium was keratinized, stratified squamous, and specialized. The lamina propria contained lymphoid tissue. In the submucosa, the nucleated RBC, Heterophil cells, and connective tissue cells were observed. The glandular tissue was serosal and the mucosal gland and the muscle layer were observed skeletal. Mucosal glands and some parts of epithelium were PAS-Positive. The results of this study showed that in spite of many similarities between the histological structures of H. cyanocinctus and other snakes and reptiles, some significant structural differences exist in which can be defined as a specific model for sea snakes.

Keywords: Histology, Oral cavity, Hydrophis cyanocinctus

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