A Cineradiographic Study of Lung Ventilation in Alligator mississippiensis.

The article offers information on the cineradiographic study of lung ventilation in American alligator, Alligator mississippiensis. The result of the study showed that A. mississippiensis' breathing pattern is diphasic and intermittent. In addition, it was observed that excited or agitated animals may exhibit triphasic breathing pattern. It was also noticed that before a dive, there is a partial expiration at the end of a series of breaths. Moreover, the diaphragmatic aspiration pump appears to be able to generate a large tidal volume at relatively low metabolic cost. Meanwhile , the osteological correlates of the crocodilian aspiration pump identified in the study provided a framework for interpretation of respiratory kinematics in extinct archosaurs and other groups.