Static inflation and deflation pressure-volume curves from excised lungs of marine mammals
Excised lungs from eight marine mammal species [harp seal ( Pagophilus groenlandicus ), harbor seal ( Phoca vitulina ), gray seal ( Halichoerus grypus h), Atlantic white-sided dolphin ( Lagenorhynchus acutus ), common dolphin ( Delphinus delphis ), Risso's dolphin ( Grampus griseus ), long-finn...
Published in: | Journal of Experimental Biology |
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Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , |
Format: | Text |
Language: | English |
Published: |
Company of Biologists
2011
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Subjects: | |
Online Access: | http://jeb.biologists.org/cgi/content/short/214/22/3822 https://doi.org/10.1242/jeb.056366 |
Summary: | Excised lungs from eight marine mammal species [harp seal ( Pagophilus groenlandicus ), harbor seal ( Phoca vitulina ), gray seal ( Halichoerus grypus h), Atlantic white-sided dolphin ( Lagenorhynchus acutus ), common dolphin ( Delphinus delphis ), Risso's dolphin ( Grampus griseus ), long-finned pilot whale ( Globicephala melas ) and harbor porpoise ( Phocoena phocoena )] were used to determine the minimum air volume of the relaxed lung (MAV, N =15), the elastic properties (pressure–volume curves, N =24) of the respiratory system and the total lung capacity (TLC). Our data indicate that mass-specific TLC (sTLC, l kg–1) does not differ between species or groups (odontocete vs phocid) and agree with that estimated (TLC est ) from body mass ( M b ) by applying the equation: TLC est =0.135 M b 0.92. Measured MAV was on average 7% of TLC, with a range from 0 to 16%. The pressure–volume curves were similar among species on inflation but diverged during deflation in phocids in comparison with odontocetes. These differences provide a structural basis for observed species differences in the depth at which lungs collapse and gas exchange ceases. |
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