Ambystoma mexicanum (Shaw & Nodder, 1798)
Mexican Axolotl Subgenus: Heterotriton | family: Ambystomatidae genus: Ambystoma |
Species Description: Shaw, G., and F. P. Nodder. 1798. The Naturalist’s Miscellany; or Coloured Figures of Natural Objects Drawn and Described Immediately from Nature. Volume 9. London |
© 1999 Henk Wallays (1 of 59) |
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Description Distribution and Habitat Country distribution from AmphibiaWeb's database: Mexico
Life History, Abundance, Activity, and Special Behaviors Trends and Threats A further threat specific to A. mexicanum is its commercial sale as food in the markets of Mexico (Utah's Hogle Zoo 2003). Relation to Humans This species is also an important research model for studying regeneration and tissue repair (Voss et al 2009). While many adult salamanders are known for their ability to regrow an astonishing amount and variety of body parts, the axolotl is easily kept in the lab and has the most complete genetic, genomic and transgenic tools available thus making it an ideal study animal. Possible reasons for amphibian decline General habitat alteration and loss Comments The axolotl is the most common salamander used in biological research; they are easily bred, and thousands live in home aquariums and labs. Its long association with humans is fascinating. In the 13th century, the indigenous Mexica people built an island city in Lake Texcoco in the Central Valley of Mexico. They also built floating gardens and canals, which the native axolotls invaded. Eventually, the lakes were drained and the salamanders were cut off. Their numbers declined; a 1998 census found 6,000 axolotls per square kilometer. In 2000, Luis Zambrano, a biologist at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Mexico, found only 1,000 animals/km2. By 2008, the census registered 100/km2, and currently the estimate is only 35/km2. With isolation, reduction in numbers, invasive predators, and environmental contaminants, the axolotl is almost extinct in the wild. (David Cannatella)
References
Griffiths, H. I. and Thomas, D. H. (1988). ''What is the status of the Mexican Axolotl?'' British Herpetological Society Bulletin, 88, 3-5. Voss, SR, Epperlein, HH, Tanaka, EM (2009). "Ambystoma mexicanum, the Axolotl: A Versatile Amphibian Model for Regeneration, Development, and Evolution Studies ." Cold Spring Harb Protoc [link] Originally submitted by: Benjamin Fryer (first posted 2004-04-28) Description by: Michelle S. Koo (updated 2022-08-03)
Life history by: Michelle S. Koo (updated 2022-08-03)
Trends and threats by: Michelle S. Koo (updated 2022-08-03)
Edited by: Tate Tunstall, Michelle S. Koo (2022-08-03) Species Account Citation: AmphibiaWeb 2022 Ambystoma mexicanum: Mexican Axolotl <https://amphibiaweb.org/species/3842> University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA. Accessed Dec 21, 2024.
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Citation: AmphibiaWeb. 2024. <https://amphibiaweb.org> University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA. Accessed 21 Dec 2024. AmphibiaWeb's policy on data use. |