How to Dive Deeper and Longer: Air Sac and Lung Volumes of Penguins

主要研究者将使用UCSD Keck中心提供的最先进的医疗技术（MRI、CT扫描）获得三种企鹅（皇帝、阿德利和国王）的直接肺和气囊体积。 这些数据对于理解企鹅潜水生理学至关重要，因为：（1）呼吸氧储存估计是这些物种体内总氧储存的重要部分，（2）气囊与肺体积的比例是预防肺气压伤（肺挤压）的潜在机制。需要进行直接测量，以评价和解释使用间接技术（基于压力室中的模拟潜水或海上潜水期间的浮力-游泳速度计算）获得的数据。 这些数据将使研究人员能够测试以下假设：在更深的潜水企鹅中，特定质量的肺体积较小，并且由此产生的气囊与肺毛细血管体积的比率将足以允许帝企鹅中的空气压缩60倍而没有“肺挤压”的风险。 阿德利企鹅和国王企鹅已经可以参加这项研究。 私家侦探寻求支持从华盛顿角出口帝企鹅幼雏，在海洋世界饲养，以完善物种比较。更广泛的影响包括在海洋世界公园建立教育展览;建立企鹅研究和保护基金;以及对学生进行医疗技术培训。

The principal investigator will obtain direct lung and air sac volume for three species of penguin (Emperor, Adelie, and King), using state of the art medical technology (MRI, CT-scan) available at the UCSD Keck Center. These data are critical to understanding penguin dive physiology because: (1) The respiratory oxygen store is estimated to be a significant fraction of the total oxygen body store in these species, and (2) the ratio of air sac to lung volume is a potential mechanism for the prevention of pulmonary barotrauma (lung squeeze). Direct measurements are needed to evaluate and interpret data obtained using indirect techniques (based on simulated dives in pressure chambers or on buoyancy-swim speed calculations during dives at sea). The data will allow the investigators to test the hypothesis that mass-specific lung volumes are smaller in deeper diving penguins, and that the resulting ratio of air sac to lung air capillary volume will be sufficient to allow for 60-fold compression of air in Emperor penguins without risk of 'lung squeeze'. Adelie and King penguins are already available for participation in the study. The P.I. seeks support to export Emperor penguin chicks from Cape Washington, to be raised at Sea World, to round out the species comparisons. Broader impacts include creation of educational exhibits at Sea World Parks; establishment of a research and conservation fund for penguins; and student training in medical techniques.