BIFURCACIÓN DE COLA DE Plestiodon copei (TAYLOR, 1933) (SQUAMATA: SCINCIDAE)

Abstract

Caudal autotomy is a common defensive scape strategy from predation in lizards, this strategy can affect the fitness of the individuals associated to energetic cost caused by tail regeneration. Several records of tail anomalies have been reported in various families of lizards. In this note we reported a tail bifurcation specimen of Plestiodon copei found in the wild. An X-ray showed that the two branches are not ossified after the fracture plane in the tail, with cartilage formation in both branches instead.