Bonus Garial post - A little tongue action

The oft-forgotten but no less prevalent facet of Lapanya anatomy. What purpose did it used to serve, far back in their unevolved ancestry? Were they a variety of hominid, using their tongue to dig sap and fungus out of narrow chutes? There is speculation, especially among the Lapanya themselves, but ultimately it remains a mystery as there is no historical or fossil record to refer to. Why is that, do you suppose?