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Tail Regeneration in lizards

Tail Regeneration in lizards. By Samantha Foglia and Danielle Marks. Lizard Genus. Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Reptilia Genus Species: Eublepharis M acularius – E. Macularius – The Leopard Gecko (3)

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Tail Regeneration in lizards

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  1. Tail Regeneration in lizards By Samantha Foglia and Danielle Marks

  2. Lizard Genus • Kingdom: Animalia • Phylum: Chordata • Class: Reptilia • Genus Species: EublepharisMacularius – E. Macularius – The Leopard Gecko (3) • Possess moveable eyelids, typically large bodies, durable skin, long plump tails (3) (3)

  3. Autotomy • Many lizards have developed a defense mechanism called "autotomy.”(1) • Autotomy is the act of dropping their tail when they are threatened by a predator. (1) • Though this is a natural reaction to what the lizard perceives as a threatening situation, it is still stressful for the lizard.(2) • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEehfX6qUwM (4)

  4. How it works • The tail represents approximately 41% of total body length and is composed of multiple tissue types. (3) • Skin, muscles, blood supply, nerves, and bone separate when the tail is dropped. (1) • After it falls to the ground, the tail starts to wiggle and move on the ground. (1) • The tail is able to regenerate by mitosis, an asexual reproduction resulting in two new identical cells. • Video of Tail Dropping: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCXlUatB6PE (5)

  5. Process • Spinal cord retracts and is capped by small blood clot • Adjacent muscles and connective tissues are retracted • Angiogenesis( new blood vessels form from existing blood vessels) begins within blastema(mass of cells capable of growth) • Regenerating tail is dome-shaped and wider than long • Keratinization(cells are converted) and the formation of scales within the epidermis begin • Tail is a cone • Tail gets longer and pigmentation begins (3)

  6. After • The tail is generally not the same length or color as it was before, and it may have abnormal scales or patterns. (1) • A tail that has been regenerated has a rod of cartilage in it rather than bone, and it usually cannot be dropped again. (1) • Throughout the regeneration process the size, density, and level of organization of the longitudinal muscle bands increase, as does the extent of connective and adipose tissue. (1)

  7. Benefits of tail Regeneration • Tail generation may save a lizards life and make it easier to escape a predator. • While the predator is occupied or distracted by the flopping, wriggling tail, the lizard makes its get away. (2)

  8. Works cited • Foster and Smith. (1997-2013). Lizard Tail Loss: Why it Happens and What to Do. Retrieved from: www.drsfostersmith.com/pic/article.cfm?aid=2485 • Kaplan, Melissa. (1996,2002). Tail Breaks and Drops. Retrieved from: www.anapsid.org/tailloss.html • Michaels, M. (2011). Tail Regeneration in Lizards. Retrieved From: http://www.devbio.biology.gatech.edu/?page_id=2641 • Slater News Channel. (2012). ‪Lizard Tails Grow Back, but They're Not the Same. Retrieved from: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEehfX6qUwM • N.a. ( 2012). Leopard Gecko Tail Dropping. Retrieved from: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCXlUatB6PE

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