Question

Autotomy is recorded in
A)Legs in crabs
B) Tails of lizards
C) Viscera in holothurian echinoderms
D) All the above

Answer 1

Autotomy is a characteristic property by which an animal can shed or discard its own appendages or body parts. It is a self-defense mechanism by the prey to escape or distract the predator for survival. Regeneration is a process of restoration, renewal, and tissue growth.

Complete answer:
● Autonomy is a spontaneous process. It occurs in organisms and animals for survival and reproduction.
● In vertebrates, it is seen in:
● Reptiles – lizards, salamanders, and tuatara
● Mammals – two species of African spiny mice i.e Acomys kempi and Acomys percivali
● In invertebrates, it is seen in:
● Mollusca – In some species of octopus as the hectocotylus detaches in the male and during coitus, it is present in the female’s mantle cavity.
● Crustaceans- stone crabs often self-replenish.
● Spiders-Under natural condition. Argiope species undergo autotomy
● bees and wasps use sting autotomy as a defense mechanism.
● Echinoderms – They eject their internal organs. For example, sea cucumber can regenerate the lost organs. Some species of starfish also shed their arms which are then able to regrow into a new starfish.
● However, characteristic autonomy or self-amputation of tail occurs in chordate (example: lizards).
So, option (D) is the correct option.

Note: The process of regeneration balances natural fluctuations or events that cause damage or disturbance. Every species is capable of regeneration, from bacteria to humans. Bacteria use regeneration as a mode of asexual reproduction in unfavorable conditions while in humans regeneration of cells occurs to renew and repair dead cells example skin epidermal cells and healing and repairing of wounds.