Extent of nephrogenesis in reptiles.

<p>The number of nephrogenic zones in each species was normalized to the effective surface area of each section analyzed (<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0153422#sec012" target="_blank">methods</a>). The ratio of the total number of nephrogenic zones and the effective surface area was then used to compare the extent of post-embryonic nephrogenesis between different reptile species. Only the material with sufficient preservation to accurately estimate the number of nephrogenesis events was used for analysis. Species analyzed were: <i>A</i>. <i>mississippiensis</i> (3 juvenile (J), 1 adult (A)), <i>B</i>. <i>constrictor</i>, <i>C</i>. <i>picta</i>, <i>T</i>. <i>scripta</i>, <i>U</i>. <i>aegyptia</i>. The corresponding density of nephrogenesis: (<i>A</i>. <i>mississippiensis</i>: 2.1 ± 1.1 (0.89m juvenile), 1.8 ± 1.1 (1.04m juvenile), 1.3 ± 0.7(1.63m juvenile), 0.86 ± 0.35(1.98m adult). <i>B</i>. <i>constrictor</i>: 0.9 ± 0.9. <i>C</i>. <i>picta</i>: 6.7 ± 0.9. <i>T</i>. <i>scripta</i>: 8.6 ± 4.3. <i>U</i>. <i>aegyptia</i>: 0.7 ± 0.3).