It is known that some animals have the ability to regenerate lost limbs: for example, lizards and newts can regrow their tails in place of the lost ones. However, lizards and newts are small creatures. Large vertebrates cannot even regenerate a finger.
However, there are quite large reptiles that possess a relatively developed ability to regenerate — these are the alligators from Mississippi.
In a study published in the journal Scientific Reports, scientists from Arizona State University report that young alligators are capable of regrowing a damaged part of their tail, which can reach up to 18% of their total body length. The new tail contains a cartilaginous skeleton, connective tissue, blood vessels, and nerves. The connective tissue replaces muscles, making the new tail not entirely functional. Nevertheless, even with such a tail, alligators find it easier to move than if it remained stubbed.
The findings about alligators will help to better understand why regeneration occurs successfully in some animals while in others (including humans) it is not as effective.
Leave a comment