Reptiles' Muscles Move Lungs for Sneaky Maneuvers in Water

The top diagram shows the position of an American alligator's liver and lungs and four muscles or muscle groups that the animals use to shift their lungs forward, backward or sideways to control their pitch and roll in water. The gator's head (not shown) is to the left and its tail to the right. The muscles are the diaphragmaticus, ischiopubis, rectus abdominis and internal intercostals. The bottom diagram shows how the liver moves toward the tail and some of the muscles contract when the alligator inhales. Photo Credit: C.G. Farmer & David Carrier