Respiratory mechanics of the coatimundi and woodchuck

The coatimundi breathes with a large tidal volume and relatively short TE/TTOT while the woodchuck has a relatively long TE/TTOT compared to other mammals. Hence, the respiratory mechanics of the coatimundi and woodchuck were studied to determine whether mechanics play any role in the differences in breathing pattern observed in these two mammals of similar body size. Although static respiratory system compliance was less and lower airway resistance was greater in the woodchuck compared to the coati there was no significant difference in deflationary time constant that could contribute to the difference in expiratory time. Both species exhibit less compliant chest walls than would be predicted for animals this size (4.5 and 5 kg) and the coati lung compliance is greater than that of the woodchuck or the prediction. The large tidal volume in the coati may be attributed in part to the large lung volume of this species (2.2 times the allometric prediction). The differences in breathing pattern are more likely related to differences in the control of breathing (i.e. regulation of expiratory airflow and inspiratory onset) than to differences in respiratory mechanics.