Fishes- Regeneration in Vertebrates
Several different parts of the fish body will re-grow. Plucked scales are promptly replaced by new ones and amputated gill filaments can regenerate simply. The taste barbells of the catfish are regenerated simply. Fins are the most conspicuous structures in fishes able of regeneration. Following amputation by the fin, lost the part grows out from the stump and everything that was missing is restored. Even colored stripes or spots which adorn some fins are reconstituted by new pigment cells that again populate the regenerated part. Fin regeneration depends on a sufficient nerve supply. If the nerve leading into the fin is cut, regeneration of neither the amputated fin nor incised piece of bony fin rays can occur.