Reptilian echocardiography: insights into ontogeny and phylogeny?

Echocardiography. 2001 Aug;18(6):531-3. doi: 10.1046/j.1540-8175.2001.00531.x.

Abstract

We describe the echocardiographic findings in a large reptile-the carpet python. If ontogeny recapitulates phylogeny, the study of reptilian hearts may provide insights into human cardiac development. In addition, the reptilian heart has unique structural and physiological adaptations that may broaden our perspective on evolutionary cardiac adaptation.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Physiological
  • Animals
  • Biological Evolution
  • Boidae / physiology*
  • Echocardiography*
  • Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular / diagnostic imaging
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Phylogeny