Written by Timur Maryia
Image from Unsplash
Overview of Axolotls
A special kind of salamander found only in Mexico City's lakes and canals is the axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum). Neoteny, the phenomena whereby adult amphibians retain characteristics of their larval form, such as external gills and a tail, is what distinguishes these species [1].
Anatomy and Appearance
Using their feathery gill system on their heads to breathe underwater, axolotls have a long, eel-like body with four limbs that resemble lizards and a flat head [1]. Their color can vary greatly, ranging from a dark brown or black with flecks of gold or olive to lighter tones, such as albino and pink variations [1]. Axolotls weigh between two and eight ounces and can reach a maximum length of eighteen inches [1].
Regenerative Abilities
The unmatched capacity of axolotls to regenerate lost body parts, such as limbs, lungs, hearts, jaws, spinal cords, and even portions of the brain, is one of their most amazing characteristics [1]. Researchers that study regenerative medicine are very interested in this ability because it may hold the key to developing novel treatments for human illness and injury [2–3].
Habitat and Ecology
Only Lake Xochimilco and Lake Chalco, two freshwater lakes in Mexico, are home to axolotls [1].They are not good swimmers and prefer calm, shallow waters with lots of aquatic plants [5]. As carnivores, axolotls consume a wide range of aquatic creatures, including small fish, worms, and mollusks [1].
Reproduction and Life Cycle
Axolotls are sexually mature at the age of six months. The male and female of this species engage in a circle "waltz" before the male deposits sperm and the female lays 300–1,000 eggs during their breeding season, which runs from March to June [1]. After about two weeks, the eggs hatch, and the young axolotls are left to fend for themselves without the support of their parents [4].
Conservation Status and Threats
The IUCN has classified the axolotl as Critically Endangered because of numerous threats, including as overfishing, invasive species, water pollution, and habitat loss [1]. The goals of conservation efforts are to create protected sanctuaries, restore their natural habitats, and increase public understanding of the significance of these unusual amphibians [3].
Significance in Scientific Research
The scientific community places great emphasis on axolotls because of their exceptional capacity for regeneration and distinctive biological traits. The ultimate goal of studying axolotls is to translate results into human medicine by learning more about tissue regeneration, developmental biology, and the genetic pathways behind these processes.
References
Axolotl Fact Sheet | Blog | Nature | PBS. (2023, June 15). Nature. https://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/blog/axolotl-fact-sheet/
Research Organism Superheroes: Axolotls – MDI Biological Laboratory. (n.d.). https://mdibl.org/in-the-media/research-organism-superheroes-axolotls/
The Amazing Axolotl: A Valuable Model for Regenerative Medicine | Office of Research Infrastructure Programs (ORIP) – DPCPSI – NIH. (2021, March 16). https://orip.nih.gov/about-orip/research-highlights/amazing-axolotl-valuable-model-regenerative-medicine
Vallie, S. (2022, October 22). What Is an Axolotl? WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/pets/what-is-an-axolotl
ALL ABOUT AXOLOTLS. (n.d.). Plantasia Tropical Zoo. https://www.plantasiaswansea.co.uk/blog/all-about-axolotls/