Cutaneous tactile sensitivity before and after tail loss and regeneration in the leopard gecko (<i>Eublepharis macularius</i>)

ABSTRACT Amongst tetrapods, mechanoreceptors on the feet establish a sense of body placement and help to facilitate posture biomechanics. Mechanoreceptors are necessary for stabilizing while navigating through changing terrains or responding sudden change in mass orientation. Lizards such as leopard gecko (Eublepharis macularius) employ autotomy – voluntary detachment portion tail escape predation. Tail represents natural form significant (and localized) loss. Semmes–Weinstein monofilaments were used investigate effect subsequent regeneration) tactile sensitivity each appendage gecko. Prior autotomy, we identified site-specific differences across ventral surfaces hindlimbs, forelimbs tail. Repeated monofilament testing both control (tail-intact) tail-loss geckos had sensitization (i.e. decrease threshold, maintained over time) all regions interest except palmar post-autotomy geckos, compared with baseline testing. Although regenerated is not an exact replica original, shown be effectively restored at this site. Re-establishment surface regenerate points towards (continued) role predator detection.