Cardiorespiratory coupling in cetaceans; a physiological strategy to improve gas exchange?

In the current study we used transthoracic echocardiography to measure stroke volume (SV), heart rate (fH), and cardiac output (CO) in adult bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus), a male beluga calf (Delphinapterus leucas, body mass [Mb] range: 151-175 kg), and an adult female false killer whale (Pseudorca crassidens, estimated Mb: 500-550 kg) housed in managed care. We also recorded continuous electrocardiogram (ECG) in the beluga,...