Regeneration from different levels along the tail of the geckonid lizard, Bunopus tuberculatus

Abstract

Study of the influence or amputation level on regenerate length, elongation rate and mitotic index of the tail of the geckonid lizard, Bunopus tuberculatus revealed that the tails amputated such that three-fourth, or one-half or one-fourth of the tail was removed, passed through the same morphological and histological stages of regeneration at the same times after amputation, and the regenerated structures were also the same. The final length of the regenerate and the elongation rate in tails amputated at more proximal levels were greater than those of regenerates from more distal levels. The total lengths of regenerates from different levels were proportional to the lengths of the tail parts removed by amputation. At any time during tail regeneration, the mitotic index was higher in regenerate tissues from proximal levels than from distal levels. The gradual decrease in mitotic index observed after the fifth post-amputation day, was much more pronounced at the distal amputation levels.