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Energetic costs of tail autotomy and regeneration in reptiles
Píchová, Veronika ; Starostová, Zuzana (advisor) ; Frýdlová, Petra (referee)
Most reptile species have the ability to voluntarily cast off their tail, known as autotomy, followed by tail regeneration, which is used as an antipredatory mechanism. In spite of this being a successful ecological adaptation, the individual with its tail cast off is often influenced negatively, which includes increased probability of predation, lower locomotion capabilities, lower immunity or a change in its social standing. Last but not least, casting off the tail and the following regeneration may distinctively influence the energy of the individual, either directly through the loss of fat reserve, usually located in the tail itself, or because the regeneration of lost tissue demands a lot of energy and often requires relocation of energy at the expense of other processes. Autotomy and regeneration of the tail may thus influence important traits of physiological processes such as body growth or body mass, reproductive capabilities or metabolism intensity. The influence of autotomy on these aspects of an individual's life has been a studies topic in the last few years, but conclusions vary. The goal of this thesis is a brief summary of information about the mechanism of caudal autotomy and regeneration and also summarize contemporary knowledge about energy costs connected to autotomy and...
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