A new field of study put out in the journalBiological Reviewshas found that lizard have more trick up their tails than we antecedently realized . As well as being able to drop their tails when under threat , they also sometimes regrow multiple fag end with some individuals being found with as many as six . After compose historic records of multi - chase after lizard , the researchers ascertain this abnormal regeneration has been happening across multiple species and they suppose the occurence come at a hefty damage to the individual need .
Caudal self-sufficiency is the power that enables lizards to worm out of predator onslaught by detach their tail , which when discerp act as a decoy . These lost shadow are then replace with gristle gat but sometimes these are parallel and the lizard terminate up with two matching tails of adequate duration where once there was only one . The mix up can get even more unusual when the original dais sprouts multiple rear “ limb ” . Acase studydocumented in 2015 reported an Argentinian black - and - blank tegu , Salvator merianae , that grew six replacements after its original rump was lost .
In total , the study authors critique 425 sightings from 63 country and find oneself that multiple tail re-formation was n’t really rarified or unusual , with their estimates predicting that 3 percent of lizards worldwide may be multi - tailed . The study author explain that this number is amazingly high and begs the inquiry : how does carting around more than one stern affect the twenty-four hours - to - day life of a lounge lizard ? They predict that the increased body mass could make future escapes more unmanageable , as well as affecting their power to move around efficiently .
“ Shedding a tail to get out a vulture and then regenerating it seems like a good tactics ; however , when this regeneration go awry and results in multiple abnormal tooshie , this is potential to have an effect on the lizard , ” say Bill Bateman , Centennial State - author on the study from Curtin University , in astatement . “ For example , could having two tails potentially affect their power to find a fellow and therefore slim opportunities for replication ? Or on the contrary , could it potentially be of benefit ?
“ Behaviorally examine out these speculation would be an interesting and crucial next research direction , so biologists can con more about the lifestyle of these multiple - chase after lizard . ”
