prostacyclin (ËprÉstÉËsaÉªklÉªn) n (Biochemistry) biochem any of several prostaglandins produced in the blood vessels, causing vasodilation and inhibiting platelet aggregation. prosâ¢taâ¢cyâ¢clin (ËprÉs tÉËsaÉª klÉªn) n. a prostaglandin, C20H32O5, that specifically inhibits the formation of blood clots.
This article is about the animal. For other uses, see Otter (disambiguation). Otters are carnivorous mammals in the subfamily Lutrinae. The 13 extant otter species are all semiaquatic, aquatic or marine, with diets based on fish and invertebrates. Lutrinae is a branch of the weasel family Mustelidae, which also includes badgers, honey badgers, martens, minks, polecats, and wolverines.
Sea otters (scientific name: Enhydra lutris) can be found in shallow water areas in the North Pacific Ocean. They especially like to reside in waters with kelp beds. Sea otters use the kelp to wrap themselves in when they are resting.ea otters are the smallest marine mammals. Sea otters are members of the weasel or Mustelidae family and are closely related to the mink and river otters. Since otters spend most of their time in the water, their hind feet are webbed and adapted for swimming.