Amphibians - Regeneration in Vertebrates

Newts and salamander show remarkable regenerative ability in larval as well as adult stages. In larval stages except for limbs and tail, external gills, upper and lower jaws, parts of intestine, lens and retina can regenerate. Tadpoles of anuran amphibians (frogs and toads) also possess the capability to regenerate limbs and tail.

Figure: Limb regenerative ability of urodele (salamander) and anuran (frog) after amputation

In the anuran tadpoles the ability to regenerate amputated limbs is slowly lost proximod-distally along the long axis of the limbs as they grow and approach metamorphosis. Along with few exceptions such as Xenopus, adult anurans are unable to regenerate limbs at all. Figure displays the difference in the regenerative ability of urodele (salamander) and anurans (frog) in regenerating an amputated limb.