The development of integument and muscle in regenerated tail of Tokay gecko (Gekko gecko Linnaeus, 1758)

Gekko gecko has the ability to perform autotomy and regenerate its tail, including the integument and muscle. Further study regarding both developments of muscle and integumentary tissue in the regenerated tail of G. gecko is needed. This study aims to determine the muscle and integumentary tissue in several stages of tail regeneration in G. gekko. The regenerated tail was collected by inducing autotomy according to specified period: 4, 8, 13, 16, 20, 28, and 56 days post-autotomy for the integument; and 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 28, 42, 56, 70, and 84 days post-autotomy (dpa). The samples were fixed using neutral-buffered formalin and decalcified. The samples were processed using paraffin method and stained with Periodic Acid Schiff-Alcian Blue (PAS-AB) for the muscle tissue, Mallory Acid Fuchsin (MAF) for the integument tissue, and Hematoxylin-Eosin (H&E) for both tissues. The samples were then observed using microscope and analyzed descriptively. The results showed that muscle tissue started to develop on the 14^th dpa, marked by the presence of myoblast which will form myotube on the 20^th day. The muscles underwent a maturing phase where myotubes started to group and formed myofibrils on the 42^th until 84^th dpa. The regenerated tail has a smaller diameter and elongated shape of muscle cells. The epidermal tissues started to proliferate in the 4th dpa. Blastema started to form on 8^th dpa. Epidermis became flattened on the 13^th dpa, and keratinization was beginning to start on the 16^th dpa.