OSMOREGULATION IN CROCODILIANS

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Abstract
Summary: 1. The osmoregulatory strategies of crocodilians in both saline and fresh‐water environments are discussed and dissected into their separate components.2. Contrasts between members of the Alligatoridae and the Crocodylinae emerge repeatedly in aspects such as integumental permeabilities, functioning of the renal/cloacal system, and the presence of lingual salt‐secreting glands.3. These contrasts contribute to the view that the alligatorid and crocodyline stocks are more divergent than has been suspected previously. In particular, there is cogent evidence of a significant marine phase in the evolution of the Crocodylinae but not of the Alligatoridae.4. The physiological evidence to support this view of a very basic dichotomy among the eusuchians is reviewed in detail and avenues which would contribute most to its critical evaluation are identified.