How Have Liver and Kidney Sizes Evolved Across Different Vertebrates?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the evolutionary adaptations of liver and kidney sizes across various vertebrates, specifically focusing on a comparative analysis involving dogfish sharks, mudpuppies (Necturus), and domestic cats. The liver of the dogfish shark is notably large due to its role in buoyancy through oil storage, while the kidneys may be comparatively smaller due to the shark's ability to osmoregulate via skin exchange with surrounding water. The conversation highlights the need for a deeper understanding of nephron anatomy in relation to organ weight and body weight analysis for these species.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of comparative vertebrate anatomy
  • Familiarity with organ weight vs. body weight analysis
  • Knowledge of osmoregulation mechanisms in vertebrates
  • Basic concepts of nephron anatomy
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  • Research the role of liver size in buoyancy across different vertebrate species
  • Investigate the osmoregulation strategies of elasmobranchs like dogfish sharks
  • Examine nephron structure variations in amphibians and mammals
  • Analyze the relationship between organ weights and body weights in comparative anatomy studies
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Students and researchers in comparative anatomy, evolutionary biology, and veterinary science, particularly those focusing on organ function and adaptation in vertebrates.

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Liver and Kidney Evolution! Please Help!

I'm writing several papers for a comparative vertebrate anatomy course, in which, among other things, I will discuss the reasons for anatomical differences in the liver and kidney of various organisms.

I have the class data set for the weights of the liver and kidney of a dogfish shark, mudpuppy (necturus) and cat. (As well as their body weight to do an organ weight vs. body weight analysis)

A shark's liver aids in buoyancy by storing oil, this much is apparent to me. So that guy has a big liver... as for the others.. and kidneys... I am at a loss as to what to say about comparative organ sizes. The only data we have is weight. I'm not sure how this can speak to nephron anatomy if it does at all (for osmoregulation and the like).

Any help is greatly appreciated! Many thanks!
 
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You might want to focus your attention on one paper (and one subject) at a time - it might be more productive.
 


I would rather only write on one subject, indeed. However for the assignment there are 6 subjects and thus 6 papers due. Each paper is a separate entity. So in essence I am focusing on one paper, and one subject, at a time ... but still doing all of them at the same time ... stressful haha.

So, any thoughts on either livers or kidneys?
 


You could expect sharks to have comparatively smaller kidneys because they can exchange waste with the surrounding water through the skin (which is why they smell like pee).
 

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