Functional morphology and ventilatory implications of the intracoelomic organization of three-toed sloths

It recently has been claimed that sloths (Mammalia: Pilosa: Folivora) possess unique adhesions of their visceral organs that were considered to represent intracoelomic adaptations related to maximizing ventilatory efficiency in animals that hang vertically suspended (i.e. with their heads facing downwards) in trees. We examined the visceral anatomy in the brown-throated three-toed sloth (Bradypus variega-tus) and compared our results to a number...