BENNETT, Nardia; MITCHELL, William/C*; Ramapo College of New Jersey; Ramapo College of New Jersey: Eyespot development in regenerating Dugesia tigrina is negatively influenced by acetaminophen

Brown planarians Dugesia tigrina were chosen to evaluate the effects of acetaminophen on regeneration. Specimens were cut into anterior, midsection and posterior pieces. These pieces were treated in differing concentrations of acetaminophen and evaluated for regeneration. Acetaminophen had little effect on the speed of the regeneration of heads on both midsection pieces and posterior pieces, and also had little effect on the speed of regeneration of tails on both midsection pieces and anterior pieces at concentrations up to 0.2 mM. Eyespot development on regenerating heads of midsection pieces was influenced by acetaminophen concentrations as low as 0.1 mM, and resulted in the production of a mix of specimens with normal heads, heads with one eyespot, and heads with no eyespots. In stark contrast to the midsection pieces, concentrations as high as 0.2 mM acetaminophen did not change eyespot development in regenerating heads of posterior pieces. Specimens bisected into only anterior and posterior sections regenerated normally when treated with acetaminophen. We are currently looking for molecular markers for abnormal eyespot development.