Comparative studies on the cardiovascular system in the wistar rat (Rattus norvegicus) and Agama Lizard (Agama agama)

Abstract

This paper is a comparative investigation on the cardiovascular system in the Wistar rat (Rattus norvegicus) and Agama lizard (Agama agama).The structural development of the heart differs from the two chambered heart of the fish, to the three chambered heart of the lizard and four chambered heart of the rat. This difference in structure also affects their mode of blood circulation. The purpose of this study was to determine if the anatomical structure of the heart of mammal (Wistar rat) and reptile (Agama lizard) differs and affects their mode of blood circulation and muscular activities. Five adult Wistar rats and Five Agama lizards were used for this Study. Result showed differences in the anatomical structure of the heart of the mammal (Wistar rat) and reptile (Agama lizard) as well as their erythrocytes and mode of blood circulation. This difference in the structure of the heart of these vertebrates explains why the lizards interrupt their movement when compared to the rat.

Keywords: Heart, Wistar rats and Agama lizard