A comparison of tracheal morphology and elastin abundance in bottlenose dolphin (cetacea: tursiops truncatus) and white-tailed deer (artiodactyla: odocoileus virginianus)
| dc.contributor.advisor | Mozzachiodi, Riccardo | |
| dc.contributor.advisor | Moury, David | |
| dc.contributor.author | Scerbo, Andrew A. | |
| dc.contributor.committeeMember | Withers, Kim | |
| dc.contributor.committeeMember | Proffitt, Ed | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2018-10-19T15:55:35Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2018-10-19T15:55:35Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2018-05 | |
| dc.description.abstract | Odontocete species exhibit diving strategies to exploit various resources in marine waters. While the phenomenon of lung collapse has been studied, the morphology and fine structure of the respiratory conducting regions are largely unexplored. A comparison of elastin abundance and tracheal morphology between marine and terrestrial mammals is needed to explore this question. The aim of this study was to compare and contrast the tracheal regions between two species of mammal that experience a wide differential in pressure gradients. Tracheae from Atlantic bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) and white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) were collected and examined using gross morphology and light microscopy. This study showed that differences in tracheal dimensions, architecture, cartilaginous ring structure and elastin abundance were the result of divergent adaptations to lifestyles exploiting very different environments. There was a significant difference in elastin coverage (percent) with more elastin in Tursiops truncatus than in Odocoileus virginianus. The respiratory system of terrestrial Odocoileus virginianus evolved for flexibility and increased range of motion; whereas, the odontocete airway became more compact, rigid and reinforced to contend with the increased pressures associated with an aquatic environment. | en_US |
| dc.description.college | College of Science and Engineering | en_US |
| dc.description.department | Life Sciences | en_US |
| dc.format.extent | 62 pages | en_US |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://tamucc-ir.tdl.org/handle/1969.6/87016 | |
| dc.language.iso | en_US | en_US |
| dc.rights | This material is made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used should be fully credited with its source. All rights are reserved and retained regardless of current or future development or laws that may apply to fair use standards. Permission for publication of this material, in part or in full, must be secured with the author and/or publisher. | en_US |
| dc.subject | Deer | en_US |
| dc.subject | dolphin | en_US |
| dc.subject | Elastin | en_US |
| dc.subject | morphology | en_US |
| dc.subject | Respiration | en_US |
| dc.subject | Trachea | en_US |
| dc.title | A comparison of tracheal morphology and elastin abundance in bottlenose dolphin (cetacea: tursiops truncatus) and white-tailed deer (artiodactyla: odocoileus virginianus) | en_US |
| dc.type | Text | en_US |
| dc.type.genre | Thesis | en_US |
| thesis.degree.discipline | Biology | en_US |
| thesis.degree.grantor | Texas A & M University--Corpus Christi | en_US |
| thesis.degree.level | Masters | en_US |
| thesis.degree.name | Master of Science | en_US |