Nature or Nurture: Is the Digestive System of the Influenced or Determined by Its Diet?

The Franciscana (also known as the La Plata River Dolphin) is a small dolphin that lives in the coastal waters of Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina. This species is considered the most endangered marine mammal in the western South Atlantic Ocean. Anatomic dissection of the digestive system of 19 animals of different ages, including 2 neonates, 12 juveniles, and 5 adults, was performed.

The Application of 3D Anatomy for Teaching Veterinary Clinical Neurology.

Neuroanatomy is always a challenging topic for veterinary students. It is widely accepted that understanding the anatomy of the central nervous system (CNS) is essential to explain many of the pathological processes that affect the brain. Although its study has varied over time to achieve this goal, in human and veterinary medicine it is difficult to find a teaching method that associates normal anatomy with pathological alterations of the brain.

The Respiratory System of the in Comparison to the Dog as a Land-Carnivore: Are There Adaptations to Marine Life?

Marine mammals are divided into three groups, with similar adaptations resulting from their aquatic lifestyle: sirenians, pinnipeds, and cetaceans. The present work focused on the South American fur seal, or , a carnivore included in the pinnipeds group. We assessed whether the anatomical features of the respiratory system are comparable to those of other land-carnivores or whether these individuals show anatomical adaptations related to their ability to dive or their breath-holding capacities.

The Digestive System of the in Comparison to the Dog as a Land-Carnivore Model.

Marine mammals play a critical ecological role as both predator and prey. They are divided into three groups that share similar adaptations to their aquatic life, but that have very different origins and life patterns: sirenians, pinnipeds, cetaceans. The species object of our interest is the South American fur seal or , a carnivore classified within the group of pinnipeds.