The nasal cavity in sea turtles: adaptation to olfaction and seawater flow.

The nasal cavity of tetrapods has become phylogenetically adapted to the environment in terms of function, respiration, and olfaction. In addition, the nasal cavity of sea turtles plays an important role in seawater flow and water olfaction, unlike that of terrestrial species. Here, we describe the functional, morphological, and histological characteristics of the nasal cavity, and the odorant receptors encoded in the genome of sea turtles. The nasal cavity of sea turtles is well-suited to its complicated functions, and it significantly differs from those of other animals, including terrestrial and semi-aquatic turtles.