Integrative Biology of Tail Autotomy in Lizards

Higham, Timothy E.; Russell, Anthony P.; Zani, Peter A.

doi:10.1086/673875

Cited by 55 publications

(45 citation statements)

References 49 publications

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“…Although such studies have revealed notable relationships between morphology (tailed versus tail-less) and performance (sprint speed, jumping and stability), the biomechanical changes in locomotion associated with tail autotomy are less well understood (Higham et al, 2013;McElroy and Bergmann, 2013). Knowledge of how force production and limb joint mechanics during locomotion change with the loss of weight and shift in center of mass (CoM) associated with tail autotomy is crucial to link the radical change in morphology with measured performance (Downes and Shine, 2001;Chapple and Swain, 2002).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tail autotomy and subsequent regeneration alter the mechanics of locomotion in lizards

Jagnandan

Russell

Higham

2014

Journal of Experimental Biology

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Animals can undergo significant weight change for a variety of reasons. Autotomy, the voluntary shedding of an appendage in response to a predator stimulus, provides an effective model for measuring the effects of rapid weight change on locomotor behavior and the responses to more gradual weight gain, particularly in lizards capable of both autotomizing and regenerating their tail. Although the general effects of autotomy on locomotor performance are commonly explored, we investigated changes in locomotor mechanics associated with tail loss and long-term regeneration for the first time by measuring morphology, 3D kinematics and ground reaction forces (GRFs) in the leopard gecko Eublepharis macularius. Tail autotomy resulted in a 13% anterior shift in the center of mass (CoM), which only partially recovered after full regeneration of the tail. Although no changes in body or forelimb kinematics were evident, decreases in hindlimb joint angles signify a more sprawled posture following autotomy. Changes in hindlimb GRFs resulted in an increase in weight-specific propulsive force, without a corresponding change in locomotor speed. Hindlimb kinematics and GRFs following autotomy recovered to pre-autotomy values as the tail regenerated. These results suggest an active locomotor response to tail loss that demonstrates the causal relationships between variations in morphology, kinematics and force.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tail autotomy and subsequent regeneration alter the mechanics of locomotion in lizards

Jagnandan

Russell

Higham

2014

Journal of Experimental Biology

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“…As more studies begin to measure ground reaction forces and detailed kinematics of running lizards before and after tail loss, we will be better positioned to develop predictive frameworks for understanding how autotomy influences locomotor behavior and performance. Until then, we can rely on a wide range of studies from the past 50 years as well as several recent and thorough reviews Higham et al, 2013b;McElroy and Bergmann, 2013) to seek patterns to help us understand the impacts of tail loss on different locomotor modes, as discussed below.…”

Section: Ground Reaction Forcementioning

confidence: 99%

Consequences of lost endings: caudal autotomy as a lens for focusing attention on tail function during locomotion

Gillis

Higham

2016

Journal of Experimental Biology

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Autotomy has evolved in many animal lineages as a means of predator escape, and involves the voluntary shedding of body parts. In vertebrates, caudal autotomy (or tail shedding) is the most common form, and it is particularly widespread in lizards. Here, we develop a framework for thinking about how tail loss can have fitness consequences, particularly through its impacts on locomotion. Caudal autotomy is fundamentally an alteration of morphology that affects an animal's mass and mass distribution. These morphological changes affect balance and stability, along with the performance of a range of locomotor activities, from running and climbing to jumping and swimming. These locomotor effects can impact on activities critical for survival and reproduction, including escaping predators, capturing prey and acquiring mates. In this Commentary, we first review work illustrating the (mostly) negative effects of tail loss on locomotor performance, and highlight what these consequences reveal about tail function during locomotion. We also identify important areas of future study, including the exploration of new behaviors (e.g. prey capture), increased use of biomechanical measurements and the incorporation of more field-based studies to continue to build our understanding of the tail, an ancestral and nearly ubiquitous feature of the vertebrate body plan.

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“…Tail autotomy plays an essential role in survival of various lizards [22]. They initiate autotomy when seized or poisoned by a predator during predator-prey interactions [3].…”

Section: Evolutionary Aspects Of Autotomy and Regenerationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Furthermore, fat layer in tail may facilitate autotomy [1] in autotomous lizards, because of the presence of perivertebral adipose tissue deep in muscles and adjacent to the vertebrae unlike nonautonomous lizards [31]. Additional factors can contribute in the release of tails during predator attack including type of predators; age, size and sex [46] of the lizards; ecology and evolution of their ancestral lineage [22]. Evolution of caudal muscle, however, has been found to reduce the ability of caudal autotomy in some other lizards [47].…”

Section: Factors Affecting the Tail Autotomy And Regenerationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Current Understanding on Tail Regeneration in Green Anoles (Anolis carolinensis)

Nain

Islam

Chowdhury

et al. 2016

Preprint

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Regeneration of lost tail is of great importance to lizards. Anolis carolinensis, a green lizard, is capable of regenerating its tail efficiently after autotomy. Hence, it is considered as a model organism in regeneration study. A. carolinensis shed its tail in order to distract the predator's attention and thus makes a way to escape. Restoring of the amputated tail takes several days and the mechanism is currently clearly understood. Although save its life, tail regeneration is associated with the impairment of several vital functions in Anoles. In addition, various differences have been observed between original and regenerated tail in terms of mechanism and structure. To date, very little work has been conducted on tail autotomy and regeneration at molecular and genetic level. The genes responsible for regeneration in anoles are identified recently. These genes are evolutionarily conserved through all tetrapod vertebrates. They are, however, in a state of 'switched-off' in other vertebrates including humans. Consequently, a throughout study of these so called 'switched-off' genes may provide a way of restoring lost organs in human, and thus could revolutionize the modern medical science.

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Integrative Biology of Tail Autotomy in Lizards

Cited by 55 publications

References 49 publications

Tail autotomy and subsequent regeneration alter the mechanics of locomotion in lizards

Tail autotomy and subsequent regeneration alter the mechanics of locomotion in lizards

Consequences of lost endings: caudal autotomy as a lens for focusing attention on tail function during locomotion

Current Understanding on Tail Regeneration in Green Anoles (Anolis carolinensis)

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