autotootmises

Autotootmises appears to be a nonstandard or misspelled form of a term commonly written as autotomy (or autotomise as the verb, autotomy as the noun). Autotomy is the ability of certain animals to shed a body part, typically in response to predation or injury, and in some species to regenerate the lost part. The standard terminology in biology is autotomy and autotomies (plural).

Mechanism and purpose. Autotomy usually involves predefined fracture planes or breakaway points in the affected part, combined with muscular and vascular control to prevent fatal bleeding and facilitate detachment. The primary adaptive value is to escape a predator while the detached part continues to occupy the predator’s attention. In many cases, the animal may later regenerate the lost part, at least partially, while surviving the immediate danger.

Examples and scope. Autotomy is well known in lizards and some other reptiles that shed tails, which may continue to wriggle to deter predators. It also occurs in arthropods such as crustaceans and arachnids, and in marine invertebrates like starfish and sea cucumbers, where limbs or internal parts may be discarded. In several lineages, regenerated structures differ from the original in size, color, or function, and complete restoration may take weeks to months or may be partial.

Costs and research relevance. While autotomy can increase immediate survival, it imposes costs: impaired locomotion, reduced sensory ability, energy expenditure for regeneration, and increased vulnerability during regrowth. The study of autotomy contributes to understanding regeneration, wound healing, and the evolution of anti-predator strategies.