Imagine a case of reverse evolution – an animal evolvedwater-breathing from an air-breathing ancestor. Design the gastransport cascade for such an imaginary vertebrate taxon, whichbreathes water, can support O2 consumption rate of at least 50mlO2/kg/min. You do NOT need to concern yourself with HOW thisbeastly transformation occurred, but you DO need to make sure thatEACH STEP of the O2 transport cascade works quantitatively. Showyour calculations for each step of the cascade. Your numbers mustbe feasible and “add upâ€.
If this animal encountered an air-breathing diving animal of thesame size, metabolic strategy and aerobic capacity, how would theirO2 transport cascades differ qualitatively?
