The Pulmonary Anatomy of Alligator Mississippiensis

In this article, they studied the lungs of juvenile American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis). They inspected fresh lungs in situ and ex vivo and also looked at inflated dry specimens to study the pulmonary anatomy. They also imaged a live UNSEDATED alligator! Computed tomography was used to generate images of the lung tissue. The authors found in their research that the lung anatomy of the American Alligator is very similar to the embryonic avian respiratory system, and is very unlike the pulmonary anatomy of Nile Alligator (studied from previous research). The authors hypothesize homologous bronchi of the alligator to bronchi of avian bronchi.  This research could be very helpful in clarification of phylogenetic relationships, thus adding to our understanding of these curious reptiles. This work is valuable because it is the most recent research on the subject, and the authors are able to use much more updated methods of studying.

Authors: R.K. Sanders and C.G. Farmer
Journal: The Anatomical Record
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Citation: Sanders, R.K. and Farmer, C.G. (2012), The Pulmonary Anatomy of Alligator mississippiensis and Its Similarity to the Avian Respiratory System. Anat Rec, 295: 699-714. doi: 10.1002/ar.22427