Question

What is "tail autonomy"? What is its advantage? What is Vitellogenesis? what hormones are required for this process?

Answer 1

Some of the reptiles such as salamanders and lizards have a defense mechanism called, “tail autonomy.” This mechanism helps these animals to drop their tails when they are attacked by the predators, and the tail grows again.

The dropped tail continues to wiggle for a while, during which the animal escapes. The tail breaks along the fracture planes, and there will be no or little blood loss occurs during this process. In general, the regenerated tail is smaller and stiffer than the older one.

Vitellogenesis is a process of maturation of follicles in the reptiles. During this process, the maturation of follicles occurs due to adding the “vitellogenin” to the yolk present in the developing follicle.

Vitellogenesis also requires the presence of LH (luteinizing hormone) and FSH (follicle stimulating hormone). The vitellogenin is formed by the liver, during this process the liver often appears in yellow color (due to the fat mobilization). The circulating calcium levels significantly increase during vitellogenesis.