scholarly journals Cutaneous tactile sensitivity before and after tail loss and regeneration in the leopard gecko (Eublepharis macularius)

2021 ◽  
pp. jeb.234054
Author(s):  
Stefanie S. Bradley ◽  
Erika Howe ◽  
Leah R. Bent ◽  
Matthew K. Vickaryous
Keyword(s):  
Sudden Change ◽  
The Body ◽  
Tactile Sensitivity ◽  
Predator Detection ◽  
Natural Form ◽  
Tail Regeneration ◽  
Tail Loss ◽  
Eublepharis Macularius ◽  
Tail Autotomy ◽  
Leopard Gecko

Amongst tetrapods, mechanoreceptors on the feet establish a sense of body placement and help to facilitate posture and biomechanics. Mechanoreceptors are necessary for stabilizing the body while navigating through changing terrains or responding to a sudden change in body mass and orientation. Lizards such as the leopard gecko (Eublepharis macularius) employ autotomy – a voluntary detachment of a portion of the tail, to escape predation. Tail autotomy represents a natural form of significant (and localized) mass loss. Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments were used to investigate the effect of tail autotomy (and subsequent tail regeneration) on tactile sensitivity of each appendage of the leopard gecko. Prior to autotomy, we identified site-specific differences in tactile sensitivity across the ventral surfaces of the hindlimbs, forelimbs, and tail. Repeated monofilament testing of both control (tail-intact) and tail loss geckos had a significant sensitization effect (i.e., decrease in tactile threshold, maintained over time) in all regions of interest except the palmar surfaces of the forelimbs in post-autotomy geckos, compared to baseline testing. Although the regenerated tail is not an exact replica of the original, tactile sensitivity is shown to be effectively restored at this site. Re-establishment of tactile sensitivity on the ventral surface of the regenerate tail points towards a (continued) role in predator detection.

Another potential cost of tail autotomy: tail loss may result in high ectoparasite loads in Sceloporus lizards

2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 191-202 ◽  
Author(s):  
Víctor Argaez ◽  
Israel Solano-Zavaleta ◽  
J. Jaime Zúñiga-Vega
Keyword(s):  
Body Condition ◽  
Rainy Season ◽  
Lizard Species ◽  
Potential Cost ◽  
Tail Regeneration ◽  
Tail Loss ◽  
Tail Autotomy ◽  
Vital Functions ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Ectoparasite Load

Abstract Tail autotomy is a common phenomenon in lizards that increases the chances of immediate survival during a predation event or agonistic encounter. However, despite short-term benefits, tail regeneration may also impose costs. Several studies have demonstrated that tail loss compromises other vital functions such as lipid storage, reproduction, and the immune system. Several lizard species are hosts of mites and ticks. Here we evaluated in three lizard species from the genus Sceloporus, whether individuals that have lost their tails and invested energy in tail regeneration are more susceptible to ectoparasites. Using a multimodel inference framework, we examined if tail loss and regeneration, as well as sex, body condition, and season (dry or rainy) predict ectoparasite load. Our results indicate that investing energy and resources in tail regeneration compromises defence against ectoparasites. These costs differed between sexes and among species. Overall, ectoparasite load increases during the rainy season and is on average higher in males. In S. grammicus, during the rainy season, males with regenerated tails and in poor body condition had more ectoparasites than males with intact tails in good body condition. In S. megalepidurus, we observed the same effect during the rainy season but in females rather than males. In S. torquatus, we found no effect of tail loss on ectoparasite load. We discuss the possibility that differences observed among species reflect differences in both species-specific physiological trade-offs and local environmental conditions.

scholarly journals The anatomy and histology of wound healing following tail loss in the leopard gecko Eublepharis macularius

2010 ◽  
Vol 24 (S1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew Kenneth Vickaryous ◽  
Stephanie Delorme ◽  
Katherine E McLean ◽  
Christopher L Zweerman
Keyword(s):  
Wound Healing ◽  
Tail Loss ◽  
Eublepharis Macularius ◽  
Leopard Gecko

scholarly journals Scar-Free Wound Healing and Regeneration Following Tail Loss in the Leopard Gecko,Eublepharis macularius

2012 ◽  
Vol 295 (10) ◽  
pp. 1575-1595 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie Lynn Delorme ◽  
Ilinca Mihaela Lungu ◽  
Matthew Kenneth Vickaryous
Keyword(s):  
Wound Healing ◽  
Tail Loss ◽  
Eublepharis Macularius ◽  
Leopard Gecko

scholarly journals Characterization of TGFβ signaling during tail regeneration in the leopard Gecko (Eublepharis macularius)

2013 ◽  
Vol 242 (7) ◽  
pp. 886-896 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard W.D. Gilbert ◽  
Matthew K. Vickaryous ◽  
Alicia M. Viloria-Petit
Keyword(s):  
Tgfβ Signaling ◽  
Tail Regeneration ◽  
Eublepharis Macularius ◽  
Leopard Gecko

Tail loss reduces locomotor ability but not metabolic rate in a viviparous skink, Sphenomorphus indicus

2013 ◽  
Vol 63 (3) ◽  
pp. 369-380 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hong-Liang Lu ◽  
Xiang Ji ◽  
Wei-Guo Du
Keyword(s):  
Metabolic Rate ◽  
Stride Length ◽  
Stride Frequency ◽  
Minor Effect ◽  
Lizard Species ◽  
Tail Regeneration ◽  
Tail Loss ◽  
Tail Autotomy ◽  
Locomotor Impairment ◽  
Locomotor Costs

Tail autotomy is an efficient predator escape form, but imposes locomotor costs in many lizard species. It has been hypothesized that locomotor impairment following tail autotomy results from the altered running dynamics or loss of energy available for locomotion, but there is a paucity of data available to demonstrate such effects. We evaluated the locomotor costs of tail loss in a viviparous skink, Sphenomorphus indicus, and examined whether locomotor costs were related to changes in gait characteristics and metabolic rate. Of 24 field-captured adult males with original intact tails, 12 individuals were used as experimental animals, and the remaining 12 as controls. Locomotor performance and CO2 production were measured for the experimental skinks before and after tail removal; the same parameters were measured at the same time for the control skinks. Compared with tailed skinks, the mean locomotor speed and stamina of tailless skinks was reduced by approximately 26% and 17%, respectively. At any given speed, tailless skinks had a shorter stride length for hindlimbs (but not for forelimbs) and a greater stride frequency than did tailed skinks. In S. indicus, locomotor impairment may be a result of the reduced stride length, and energetic constraints on stride frequency. We found no significant change in standard metabolic rate after the skinks underwent tail removal, which may reflect a minor effect on energy expenditure for maintenance. Although the reduction in metabolically active tissue might cause a lower metabolic rate, tail regeneration counteracted such an effect because it was energetically expensive.

The Permeability and Structure of the Cuticle of the Aquatic Larva of Sialis Lutaria

1955 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 330-352 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. SHAW
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Critical Temperature ◽  
Heavy Water ◽  
Sudden Change ◽  
Indirect Evidence ◽  
The Body ◽  
Permeability Constant ◽  
Water Influx ◽  
Terrestrial Insects ◽  
Aquatic Larva

1. The permeability to water of the cuticle of Sialis larvae has been measured, using heavy water as tracer. The penetration was slow, the permeability constant being only 1.8 x 10-2 cm./hr. at 20° C. There was no obvious difference between the rate of water influx and outflux. The rate at which water penetrated into the tissues from the blood was much greater than through the cuticle. The Q10 for diffusion through the body surface was high, lying between 3.0 and 3.8. The osmotic uptake of water was calculated to be about 1% of the body weight per day at 10° C. 2. Drinking of water did not occur in normal larvae, but in larvae with the blood volume reduced, osmotic uptake of water through the gut did take place and the gut wall was much more permeable to water than the cuticle. A similar intake of water probably occurred during moulting. 3. The permeability of the cuticle to chloride was measured and also found to be of a low order (P = 1.04 x 10-4 cm./hr. at 17° C.). Sodium diffused out of the larva at the same rate as the chloride. 4. Histological examination of the cuticle showed that in the abdomen it was thin and consisted of a 7µ. thick endocuticle and a 1 µ epicuticle. Over the thorax it was thicker, and a polyphenol layer was present as the outer layer of the epicuticle. There was indirect evidence of the presence of a wax layer. 5. Wax was extracted from the cuticle, and the thickness of the layer from which it was derived was estimated by means of a monolayer technique. In the cuticle of the abdomen and gills the thickness averaged 0.1 µ. 6. The permeability to water of the cuticle was compared with that of terrestrial insects and was found to be much greater. This difference was not due to the thickness of the wax layer but probably to some physical properties of the wax. The cuticle of Sialis larvae showed no ‘critical temperature’ or sudden change in the permeability properties with temperature over the range of temperatures studied.

scholarly journals Folic acid – role in the body, recommendations and clinical significance

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 50-59 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aneta Myszczyszyn ◽  
Rafał Krajewski ◽  
Monika Ostapów ◽  
Lidia Hirnle
Keyword(s):  
Folic Acid ◽  
Biological Effects ◽  
Folic Acid Supplementation ◽  
The Body ◽  
Leafy Vegetables ◽  
Congenital Defects ◽  
Natural Form ◽  
Vitamin B9 ◽  
Increased Risk

AbstractIntroduction. Folic acid is a compound classified as B group vitamins. In the body it is subject to processes that transfer its inactive form into a form responsible for biological effects of folic acid, i.e. 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF). It is, in particular, responsible for processes of the correct biosynthesis of purine and pyridine bases present in the formation of DNA and RNA molecules. Humans do not synthesize the endogenous form of folic acid; therefore, it is vital to supplement this vitamin in its natural form or multivitamin preparations. The most folic acid is found in the green leafy vegetables (spinach, peas, asparagus) and in offal (liver). An adequate supply of folic acid is especially indicated in pregnant women with a reduced amount of folic acid due to its use by an intensively developing foetus. The recommended dose of folic acid during this period is 0.4 mg/24h and this dose varies depending on the patient’s and her family’s medical history. The updated state of knowledge on the role of vitamin B9 in the body has been presented. The importance of its supplementation in specific clinical cases was analyzed.Summary. Many studies indicate an important role of the folic acid in the prevention of congenital defects of the nervous, cardiovascular and urogenital systems. Its deficiency increases the risk of complications in pregnancy, such as recurrent miscarriages, pre-eclampsia or postpartum haemorrhage. For this reason, a prophylactic folic acid supplementation is recommended, in women with increased risk of its deficiency, in particular.

scholarly journals Draft genome of the leopard gecko, Eublepharis macularius

GigaScience ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zijun Xiong ◽  
Fang Li ◽  
Qiye Li ◽  
Long Zhou ◽  
Tony Gamble ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Draft Genome ◽  
Eublepharis Macularius ◽  
Leopard Gecko
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