Anatomy & Physiology: Current Research
Open Access

Department of Anatomy, Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine, A.T. Still University, Kirksville, MO, United States

Publications

• Research Article   
  The Influence of Gravitational Gradients on the American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis)
  Author(s): Lucas Knoche, Bruce A. Young* and Tatyana Kondrashova
  
  The cardiovascular systems of terrestrial and aquatic snakes cannot accommodate gravitational gradients, while blood flow in arboreal snakes is not disrupted by tilting. Alligators have a very dynamic cardiovascular system, with multiple means of active regulation; however, the response of alligators to gravitational gradients has never been documented. Gravitational gradients were induced by rotating sub-adult specimens of the American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) between 45° head-up to 45° head-down in 15° increments. Intracranial pressure was assayed by quantifying the diameter of the optic nerve sheath using ocular ultrasonography; each increment of head-up rotation produced a significant decrease in nerve sheath diameter, while head-down rotations resulted in corresponding significant increases in nerve sheath diameter. Vascular ultrasonogr.. View More»
  DOI: 10.35248/2161-0940.19.9.318

  Abstract HTML PDF