Comparative morphology of the respiratory system of capybaras (hydrochaeris)

Abstract

In contemporary society, there is a growing concern for the preservation of nature and, consequently, the various forms of animal life on the South American continent. This concern has been the subject of study in research dealing with various animals of Brazilian fauna such as agoutis, pacas, capybaras, and guinea pigs. The capybara, Hydrochoerus hydrochoeris, is the largest rodent alive today, reaching measuring 1.30 m long and 0.50 to 0.60 m in height. It can weigh up to 100 kg with a mean weight of 50 kg for females and 60 kg for males, belongs to the South American fauna and is used as a food source throughout its region of occurrence, an important component in the diet of indigenous people and rural population of Brazil. From the standpoint of public health, studies on the capybara are of great importance, since the species is one of the host star ticks (Amblyomma cajennense), which transmits Rocky Mountain spotted fever, caused by the bacterium Rickettsia rickettsii. The knowledge of morphology provides the basis for the surgery, clinical pathology, as well as for biological management of wild animals. Due to the scarcity of literature on anatomical and morphological studies of the respiratory tract of capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochloric), we propose to study and analyze the components of this device, so that we can, using data obtained in this research, acquire a better knowledge base and compare it with the animals of the same suborder (histricomorfs) and other species of domestic mammals.(AU)