Which semi-aquatic carnivorous mammals belong to the genus `Lutra'?
Lutra Lutra Lutra is a genus of otters, one of seven in the subfamily Lutrinae. The genus includes these recent species: The genus most likely evolved in Asia during the late Pliocene epoch; the oldest fossil belonging to the genus is of the species "L. palaeindica", and dates from the late Pliocene. "Lutra" species are semiaquatic mammals, so they are well-adapted to both water and land. They prefer shallow, narrow areas of streams surrounded by mature trees and with rocks, especially where weirs reduce the flow of the water, as well as attract fishes. They seem to tolerate roads and residential
Maternal transfer in aquatic mammals Maternal transfer in aquatic mammals In aquatic mammals, maternal transfer is the movement of contaminants from mother to offspring, typically of lipophilic contaminants while in utero or through the mother’s milk. This has become important with the increase in usage of persistent organic pollutants (POPs). POPs biomagnify due to their lipophilic nature and become accumulated in the lipid tissues of aquatic mammals. These lipids are used as energy for the mother during the development of offspring, which releases the POPs into the circulatory fluid. This leads to a transfer of the toxicants into the developing embryos during gestation as well