In this study,the ultrastructure of the tongue of Larus relictus was observed using light and scanning electron microscopy. The tongue of L. relictus was triangular in shape,and comprised 3 different parts: the lingual apex,lingual body,and lingual root. The tongue fork had keratinized processes at the lingual apex; the lingual apex had a large number of epithelial cells,and the cell surfaces appear to form a fingerprint. The surface of the lingual body was smooth,and the epithelial cells were elongated wit...