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Oxygen storage in beavers

T McKean, C Carlton

    Journal of Applied Physiology: Respiratory, Environmental and Exercise Physiology
    |April 1, 1977
    PubMed
    Summary
    This summary is machine-generated.

    Beavers have limited oxygen stores for diving, despite their 15-minute submersion ability. Their total oxygen storage capacity is significantly less than that of marine mammals like harbor seals.

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    Area of Science:

    • Physiology
    • Comparative Biology
    • Mammalian Physiology

    Background:

    • Beavers are known for their diving capabilities, often submerging for up to 15 minutes.
    • Understanding the physiological adaptations for diving in semi-aquatic mammals is crucial for comparative biology.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To determine the total oxygen storage capacity in wild beavers.
    • To compare the oxygen stores of beavers with those of marine diving mammals.

    Main Methods:

    • Ten wild beavers were anesthetized with pentobarbital.
    • Key physiological parameters including total lung capacity, hemoglobin, blood volume, and myoglobin were measured.
    • These values were used to calculate the total oxygen storage capacity.

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    Main Results:

    • Beavers exhibit a total lung capacity of 60.5 +/- 4.8 ml/kg.
    • Hemoglobin levels were measured at 12.4 +/- 1.5 g/100 ml, and blood volume was 6.5 +/- 0.8% of body mass.
    • Myoglobin concentration was 1.2 +/- 0.3 g/100 mg, indicating relatively modest oxygen stores compared to marine divers.

    Conclusions:

    • Despite being capable divers, beavers possess limited oxygen storage capacity.
    • Beaver oxygen stores are approximately one-third of those found in marine diving mammals, such as the harbor seal.