@article{f992a9b322454948850331921d898dac,
title = "A comparison of postnatal arterial patterns in a growth series of giraffe (Artiodactyla: Giraffa camelopardalis)",
abstract = "Nearly all living artiodactyls (even-toed ungulates) possess a derived cranial arterial pattern that is highly distinctive from most other mammals. Foremost among a suite of atypical arterial configurations is the functional and anatomical replacement of the internal carotid artery with an extensive, subdural arterial meshwork called the carotid rete. This interdigitating network branches from the maxillary artery and is housed within the cavernous venous sinus. As the cavernous sinus receives cooled blood draining from the nasal mucosa, heat rapidly dissipates across the high surface area of the rete to be carried away from the brain by the venous system. This combination yields one of the most effective mechanisms of selective brain cooling. Although arterial development begins from the same embryonic scaffolding typical of mammals, possession of a rete is typically accompanied by obliteration of the internal carotid artery. Among taxa with available ontogenetic data, the point at which the internal carotid obliterates is variable throughout development. In small-bodied artiodactyls, the internal carotid typically obliterates prior to parturition, but in larger species, the vessel may remain patent for several years. In this study, we use digital anatomical data collection methods to describe the cranial arterial patterns for a growth series of giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis), from parturition to senescence. Giraffes, in particular, have unique cardiovascular demands and adaptations owing to their exceptional body form and may not adhere to previously documented stages of cranial arterial development. We find the carotid arterial system to be conserved between developmental stages and that obliteration of the giraffe internal carotid artery occurs prior to parturition.",
keywords = "Anatomical imaging, Arterial development, Artiodactyla, CT scan, Carotid rete, Giraffa camelopardalis, Ontogeny, Ruminant",
author = "O'Brien, {Haley D.} and Gignac, {Paul M.} and Hieronymus, {Tobin L.} and Witmer, {Lawrence M.}",
note = "Funding Information: We thank Dr. Kay Backues and Richard Kotarsky at the Tulsa Zoo for loaning the neonate giraffe specimen to PMG, and Dr. Jennifer D{\textquoteright}Agostino, Dr. Brandi Coyner, and Dr. Janet Braun at the Sam Noble Museum of Natural History for loaning the juvenile giraffe to HDO and PMG. Dr. Corey Wall and Carolyn Rodebush at the Oklahoma State University School of Veterinary Medicine assisted with CT scanning both sub-adult giraffes. For assistance with injecting the adult giraffe, we thank Andy Clifford, Casey Holliday, and Ryan Ridgely. For help with CT scanning the adult giraffe, we thank Heather Rockhold, RT, at OhioHealth Hospital in Athens, Ohio. John Hutchinson, Sybrand von Sittert, and Nikos Solounias provided insightful comments throughout the review processes that have greatly improved the manuscript. Funding for scanning the adult giraffe was provided by US National Science Foundation grants IBN-0343744 and IOS-1050154 to LMW. Funding for scanning the sub-adult giraffes was provided by the Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences to PMG. Funding for injection supplies was provided by the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology and American Society of Mammalogists Grants-In-Aid programs, as well as the Ohio University Student Enhancement Award to HDO. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. The following grant information was disclosed by the authors: US National Science Foundation grants: IBN-0343744, IOS-1050154. Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences. Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology and American Society of Mammalogists Grants-In-Aid programs. Ohio University Student Enhancement Award. Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2016 O'Brien et al.",
year = "2016",
doi = "10.7717/peerj.1696",
language = "English",
volume = "2016",
journal = "PeerJ",
issn = "2167-8359",
publisher = "PeerJ Inc.",
number = "2",
}