What structure replaces the original vertebrae in a regenerated lizard tail following autotomy?
Answer
A cartilaginous rod
Autotomy, the deliberate shedding of the tail as a defense mechanism, results in a trade-off between immediate escape and long-term balance. When the tail is regrown, the structure is fundamentally different from the original appendage. The initial tail contains true bone vertebrae, providing a specific shape and rigidity necessary for optimal counterbalancing during complex movements like running or climbing. The replacement tail, however, grows back containing only a cartilaginous rod. This structural difference often means the regenerated tail varies slightly in texture, color, and thickness compared to the original, potentially altering the lizard's center of gravity and agility over time.
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