B33
Dorsal aspect

The mugger crocodile is distributed in India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka. Its total length reaches 5m and the weight about 500kg. The mandible is large, and the adult mugger crocodile can prey on large mammals of the habitat. The habitat of this species has not been examined, however, it is said that the species may live in the swamps and lakes. Because of bycatches in the fishery, poaching for Chinese medicine purpose and destruction of habitat, the populations of the mugger crocodile have been drastically reduced. Therefore, among Crocodilia, the mugger crocodile has been strongly protected by the CITES and the other laws. This specimen is the heart from a mugger crocodile which died in iZOO of Shizuoka Prefecture in 2015. The heart of the crocodile is morphologically specialized among the reptiles. It has been said that the left and right ventricle is highly isolated, and the cardiovascular system in Crocodilia is highly-functioned. The specimen has been used to compare the cardiovascular system between the reptiles. It will bring valuable information to elucidate the function of cardiovascular system in the large crocodiles. (Hideki Endo & Mayu Kusumi)