Gasping Patterns of the Isolated Respiratory Centers of Birds and Mammals during Anoxia, Their Phylogenetic Significance, and Implication in Hibernation

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Abstract
By means of decapitation below the level of the carotid reflex areas, the anoxic gasping of 12 spp. of birds and 9 spp. of mammals was studied. Two series of gasps, an early and late, were found in the young of all spp. after parturition. Only the early series remained in the adults of certain spp. which were the altricial birds and some mammals. All spp. of mammals capable of hibernating retain both series as adults. As the animal matures the 2d series grows progressively shorter while the 1st series increases. In the developing egg the delayed (anaerobic) gasps develop before the early (aerobic) series. Evidence indicates ontogenetic replacement of the anaerobic energy source of the newborn by the aerobic energy of the adult. This change is complete at an early age in the altricial birds and some mammals but occurs more slowly in the precocial birds and is absent in the mammals capable of hibernating. The relationship of the delayed series of gasps to the hibernating state is discussed.

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