Gecko Tail Detachment (1 of 3) (IMAGE)

PLOS

Gecko Tail Detachment (1 of 3)

Caption

Wedge-shaped extensions (cranial margins of individual tail muscles) projecting from the proximal end of the released tail stump demonstrate the presence of ‘‘mushroom-shaped’’ structures at the termini of the muscle fibers after autotomy. These structures are present on all sides of the extensions except on the outer part.

Credit

Sanggaard KW, Danielsen CC, Wogensen L, Vinding MS, Rydtoft LM, et al. (2012) Unique Structural Features Facilitate Lizard Tail Autotomy. <i>PLoS ONE</i> 7(12): e51803. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0051803

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