Autotomy and Tail Regeneration in Reptiles
With nearly 3,800 species, lizards are a widespread group of squamate reptiles. Some of these creatures are capable of autotomy, which allows them to detach their tail and later regenerate a new one. This is most commonly used as a predator defense mechanism. The African house gecko, Hemidactylus Mabouia, is one of the limited species of reptiles that are able to reproduce a lost limb. Autotomy and tail regeneration can be broken down to several steps, from the severing of the old tail to the three phases of new tail growth (Hughes and New). While this process seems simple enough, further research is still being conducted on cell regeneration in humans. These reptiles are some of the few species in the world that are capable of autotomy and regeneration (Hughes and New).
As stated before, autotomy is used primarily for defense. Some predators are more likely to trigger autotomy in lizards than others. The lizard’s habitat and threat of predators dictates the frequency and ability to perform autotomy. Some are genetically programmed to lose their tail when threatened by particular predators. Other lizards may be able to do this regardless of the attacker. Tails may be many different shapes, sizes, and colors. The tail will detach between the predator and the prey and thrash around violently, causing a temporary distraction. While the loss of the tail benefits the lizard by distracting its predator, there may be many negative side effects to this action. Not only would autotomy make one more vulnerable to future attacks, but most lizard species use their tails for many other things. The tail can be used for balance, an extra appendage for climbing, communication within the species, and even as a place to store energy. For these reasons the life and actions of a lizard can change while the tail is not present.
Lizards have “special zones” in each vertebrae of the tail. These “zones” are especially weak, more so than the rest of the vertebrae, for the use of
As stated before, autotomy is used primarily for defense. Some predators are more likely to trigger autotomy in lizards than others. The lizard’s habitat and threat of predators dictates the frequency and ability to perform autotomy. Some are genetically programmed to lose their tail when threatened by particular predators. Other lizards may be able to do this regardless of the attacker. Tails may be many different shapes, sizes, and colors. The tail will detach between the predator and the prey and thrash around violently, causing a temporary distraction. While the loss of the tail benefits the lizard by distracting its predator, there may be many negative side effects to this action. Not only would autotomy make one more vulnerable to future attacks, but most lizard species use their tails for many other things. The tail can be used for balance, an extra appendage for climbing, communication within the species, and even as a place to store energy. For these reasons the life and actions of a lizard can change while the tail is not present.
Lizards have “special zones” in each vertebrae of the tail. These “zones” are especially weak, more so than the rest of the vertebrae, for the use of
Cited: Hughes, Arthur and Denis New. "Tail Regeneration in the Geckonid Lizard, Sphaerodactylus." (2005): 281-303. McBrearty, Beth, Elizabeth Blankenhorn and Ellen Katz. "Genetic analysis of a mammalian wound-healiing trait." (1997): 176-197.