What Is Echocardiography? Echocardiography (EK-o-kar-de-OG-rah-fee), or echo, is a painless test that uses sound waves to create moving pictures of your heart. The pictures show the size and shape of your heart. They also show how well your heart's chambers and valves are working.
Taxonomy/Description. The Giant Otter's scientific name is Pteronura brasiliensis, which means winged tail belonging to Brazil, although this otter species is not limited to Brazil. Winged refers to the fin-like shape of the giant otter's tail. The giant otter is a member of the weasel family, Mustelidae, in the Mammalian Order of Carnivora.
The sea otter is known as a âkeystone species,â one that indicates overall health of the ecosystem it lives in. This is due to the otterâs selective consumption of sea urchins. Sea otters prefer older, larger sea urchins, a significant choice because sea urchins are heavy grazers.