Cornered by a dangerous predator, a gecko can self-amputate its still twitching tail, creating a fleeting moment of distraction - a chance for the lizard to flee with its life.
Small reptiles such as geckos and skinks are well known for this remarkable ability to sacrifice their tails. Now, scientists discovered that much larger alligators can regrow theirs too, but only while they're young.
Researchers from the University of Arizona found that Juvenile American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) can regrow up to 18 percent of their total body length back (about 23 cm or 9 inches of length). By imaging and dissecting the tail regrowth, researchers found alligators do this quite differently from the other animals we know that can regenerate their appendages. The study was published in the latest issue of the journal Scientific Reports.
While other animals self-amputate themselves, small geckos often lose their tails due to injuries caused by dangerous predators or hunting attempts by humans. In addition to difference in amputation conditions, the researchers observed differences in the mechanism and timing of regrowth.
"If injured, reptiles can reform a segmented skeleton, complete with muscles, while the regrown alligator tail is supported by an unsegmented cartilage tube rather than bone," ASU cellular biologist and first author of the research Cindy Xu said in a report published Saturday on the Science Alert website.
"It also may take them considerably longer to regrow their missing bits. While skinks can do it in as little as six months, a related crocodilian takes up to 18 months to reform their tails," she explained.
The researchers reached these conclusions by studying the final regrowth results of American alligators. But given that they are a threatened species, further studies on how this process works may be challenging, but could provide some useful information.
"If we understand how different animals are able to repair and regenerate tissues, this knowledge can then be leveraged to develop medical therapies," said ASU anatomist and co-author Rebecca Fisher.
