Advertisement
Journal Articles
Pelvic aspiration in the American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis)
C.G. Farmer, D.R. Carrier
Journal of Experimental Biology 2000 203: 1679-1687;

Summary

The pelvis of crocodilians is highly derived in that the pubic bones are isolated from the acetabulum and are attached to the ischia via moveable joints. We examined the possible role of this unusual morphology in lung ventilation by measuring ventilation, abdominal pressure and the electrical activity of several abdominal and pelvic muscles in the American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis). We found that the activity of two pelvic muscles, the ischiopubis and ischiotruncus muscles, was correlated with inspiration; these muscles rotate the pubes ventrally and thereby increase abdominal volume. During expiration, contraction of the rectus abdominis and transversus abdominis rotates the pubes dorsally. We suggest that this mechanism facilitates diaphragmatic breathing by creating space for caudal displacement of the viscera during inspiration. Because birds also use a dorso-ventral movement of the pelvis to effect ventilation, some form of pelvic aspiration may be plesiomorphic for archosaurs.

REFERENCES

    1. Baumel, J. J.,
    2. Wilson, J. A. and
    3. Bergren, D. R.
    (1990). The ventilatory movements of the avian pelvis and tail: function of the muscles of the tail region of the pigeon (Columba livia). J. Exp. Biol 151, 263–.
    OpenUrlAbstract/FREE Full Text
    1. Betts, G.,
    2. Smith, J. L.,
    3. Edgerton, V. R. and
    4. Collatos, T. C.
    (1976). Telemetered EMG of fast and slow muscles of the cat. Brain Res 117, 529–.
    OpenUrlCrossRefPubMedWeb of Science
    1. Boelaert, R.
    (1942). Sur la physiologie de la respiration de l' Alligator mississipiensis. Arch. Int. Physiol 52, 57–.
    OpenUrl
    1. Carrier, D. R.
    (1987). Lung ventilation during walking and running in four species of lizards. Exp. Biol 47, 33–.
    OpenUrlPubMedWeb of Science
    1. Carrier, D. R.
    (1990). Activity of the hypaxial muscles during walking in the lizard Iguana iguana. J. Exp. Biol 152, 453–.
    OpenUrlAbstract/FREE Full Text
    1. Carrier, D. R.
    (1993). Action of the hypaxial muscles during walking and swimming in the salamander, Dicamptodon ensatus. J. Exp. Biol 152, 453–.
    1. Carrier, D. R.
    (1996). Function of the intercostal muscles in trotting dogs: ventilation or locomotion. J. Exp. Biol 199, 1455–.
    OpenUrlAbstract/FREE Full Text
    1. Farmer, C. G. and
    2. Carrier, D. R.
    (2000). Ventilation and gas exchange during treadmill locomotion in the American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis). J. Exp. Biol 203, 1671–.
    OpenUrlAbstract
    1. Farmer, C. G. and
    2. Carrier, D. R.
    (2000). Respiration and gas exchange during recovery in alligators. Respir. Physiol 120, 67–.
    1. Farmer, C. G.,
    2. Hicks, J. W. and
    3. Carrier, D. R.
    (1996). Effect of the respiratory pump on venous return during exercise in iguanas. Physiologist 39, 103–.
    OpenUrl
    1. Gans, C. and
    2. Clark, B.
    (1976). Studies on ventilation of Caiman crocodilus (Crocodilia: Reptilia). Respir. Physiol 26, 285–.
    OpenUrlCrossRefPubMedWeb of Science
    1. Naifeh, K. H.,
    2. Huggins, S. E. and
    3. Hoff, H. E.
    (1970). The nature of the nonventilatory period in crocodilian respiration. Respir. Physiol 10, 338–.
    OpenUrlCrossRefPubMed
    1. Naifeh, K. H.,
    2. Huggins, S. E. and
    3. Hoff, H. E.
    (1971). The nature of the nonventilatory period in crocodilian respiration. Respir. Physiol 11, 178–.
    OpenUrlCrossRefPubMedWeb of Science
    1. Naifeh, K. H.,
    2. Huggins, S. E.,
    3. Hoff, H. E.,
    4. Hugg, T. W. and
    5. Norton, R. E.
    (1970). Respiratory patterns in crocodilian reptiles. Respir. Physiol 9, 31–.
    OpenUrlPubMed
    1. Owerkowicz, T.,
    2. Farmer, C. G.,
    3. Hicks, J. W. and
    4. Brainerd, E. L.
    (1999). Contribution of gular pumping to respiration in monitor lizards. Science 284, 1661–.
    OpenUrlAbstract/FREE Full Text
    1. Wang, T.,
    2. Carrier, D. R. and
    3. Hicks, J. W.
    (1997). Ventilation and gas exchange during treadmill exercise in lizards. J. Exp. Biol 200, 2629–.
    OpenUrlAbstract
Back to top

 Download PDF

Email
Journal Articles
Pelvic aspiration in the American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis)
C.G. Farmer, D.R. Carrier
Journal of Experimental Biology 2000 203: 1679-1687;
del.icio.us logo Digg logo Reddit logo Twitter logo CiteULike logo Facebook logo Google logo Mendeley logo
Citation Tools
Alerts

Article navigation

Other journals from The Company of Biologists

Advertisement

Meet the Editors at SICB Virtual 2021

Reserve your place to join some of the journal editors, including Editor-in-Chief Craig Franklin, at our Meet the Editor session on 17 February at 2pm (EST). Don’t forget to view our SICB Subject Collection, featuring relevant JEB papers relating to some of the symposia sessions.

2020 at The Company of Biologists

Despite 2020's challenges, we were able to bring a number of long-term projects and new ventures to fruition. As we enter a new year, join us as we reflect on the triumphs of the last 12 months.

Critical temperature window sends migratory black-headed buntings on their travels

The spring rise in temperature at black-headed bunting overwintering sites is essential for triggering the physical changes that they undergo before embarking on their spring migration – read more.

Developmental and reproductive physiology of small mammals at high altitude

Cayleih Robertson and Kathryn Wilsterman focus on high-altitude populations of the North American deer mouse in their review of the challenges and evolutionary innovations of pregnant and nursing small mammals at high altitude.

Read & Publish participation extends worldwide

“Being able to publish Open Access articles free of charge means that my article gets maximum exposure and has maximum impact, and that all my peers can read it regardless of the agreements that their universities have with publishers.”

Professor Roi Holzman (Tel Aviv University) shares his experience of publishing Open Access as part of our growing Read & Publish initiative. We now have over 60 institutions in 12 countries taking part – find out more and view our full list of participating institutions.