A new study shows American Alligators can regrow part of their tail

We’ve often called the American Alligator a big lizard, and now a new study shows that like lizards, they can regrow part of their tail.

The team of scientists from Arizona State University and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries published the surprising discovery in Scientific Reports.

Researchers used advanced imaging techniques to capture a close up look at the anatomy and tissue of the reptiles and found that juvenile Alligators could regrow their tails up to 9 inches or 18 percent of their total body length.

The regrown tails had a central cartilage skeleton without any bone which scientists say exhibits features of both regeneration and wound repair.

Scientists believe the animals lost their tails due to traumatic injury, but also say samples of regrown tails from alligators who had died.

“Overall, this study of wild-caught, juvenile American alligator tails identifies a distinct pattern of wound repair in mammals while exhibiting features in common with regeneration in lepidosaurs and amphibia,” the researchers concluded.

The study notes that while the skeleton showed growth with connective tissue and skin, it lacked the skeletal muscle that lizards are able to regenerate.

Still, researchers say “Even without muscles, a regrown tail is important for alligators’ survival.”

The team hopes to use their findings to develop regenerative therapies in humans recognizing that we are incapable of regrowing a limb, but still have the same cells and pathways that alligators use for regeneration.

Click here for the link to the study.

Cox Media Group