Is aquatic life correlated with an increased hematocrit in snakes?

ABSTRACT:

Background

Physiological adaptations that allow air-breathing vertebrates to remain underwater for long periods mainly involve modifications of the respiratory system, essentially through increased oxygen reserves. Physiological constraints on dive duration tend to be less critical for ectotherms than for endotherms because the former have lower mass-specific metabolic rates. Moreover, comparative studies between marine and terrestrial ectotherms have yet to show overall distinct physiological differences specifically associated with oxygen reserves.

Methodology/principal findings

We used phylogenetically informed statistical models to test if habitat affects hematocrit (an indicator of blood oxygen stores) in snakes, a lineage that varies widely in habitat use. Our results

SUBMITTER: Brischoux F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3040194 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature