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.
There is one species of Otter on the low risk list which is the Oriental Small Clawed Otter. Several of the species though are listed as vulnerable and endangered. They include the Southern River Otter, Hairy Nosed Otter, Giant Otter, and the India Smooth Coated Otter.In the United States Otters are protected under the Endangered Species Act.This is due to the fact that the conditions they live under could be compromised easily and that could lead to a significant reduction in their numbers in very little time.tters Conservation Status. Many of the different species of Otters have been heavily hunted in the past. As a result the numbers of them are quite low. This is why conservation efforts are in place to help them continue to survive. The main reason that these Otters were hunted though was for their fur.