Work

Autotomy and Regeneration in Squamate Reptiles (Squamata, Reptilia): Defensive Behavior Strategies and Morphological Characteristics (Using Computer Microtomography Methods)

Year: 2020

Type: article

Abstract: It has been noted that caudal autotomy as a way of defending against predators in recent reptiles is characteristic solely of lepidosaurs and is absent in crocodiles and turtles. It was found that, in the order Rhynchocephalia and in representatives of the majority of families of lizards, intravertebral (IntraVB) autotomy is a widespread phenomenon, whereas agamid lizards and some snakes do not have a break plane, and their tails break between adjacent vertebrae (intervertebral (InterVB) autotomy). The frequencies of occurrence of InterVB autotomy and regeneration in six species of agamas of the genus Paralaudakia were analyzed. Six types of regenerate’s characteristic of the studied group and the anatomical structure of the knob -shaped jagged regenerate are described on the basis of the results of computed microtomography (micro-CT). Phenomena of autotomy and regeneration are discussed in the phylogenetic context.

Source: Biology Bulletin

DOI: 10.1134/s1062359020040068

Authors: D. A. Gordeev, N. B. Ananjeva, D. V. Korost

Institutions: Volgograd State University, Russian Academy of Sciences, Zoological Institute, Lomonosov Moscow State University

Language: English

Topic: Comparative Animal Anatomy Studies

Subfield: Urology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Funders: Russian Foundation for Basic Research, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Russian Academy of Sciences

Award: G1473317051