The axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum), a type of salamander, is a critically endangered amphibian endemic to central Mexico. This species is a “paedomorphic species, living permanently in water, and does not undergo complete metamorphosis,” so the gills are retained into its adult life. The axolotl is declining due to competition, disease transmission, and predation from introduced species, in addition to overfishing, pollution, and urbanization. Captive populations do exist, since “the species is used in physiological and biomedical research, as well as in the pet trade, but the re-introduction of captive-bred axolotls is not recommended until threats can be mitigated, and disease and genetic risks to the wild populations assessed.” From the Dallas Morning News, TX:
The axolotl, also known as the “water monster” and the “Mexican walking fish,” is a key part of Aztec legend and diet. Against all odds, it survived amid Mexico City’s urban sprawl in the polluted canals of Lake Xochimilco.
But scientists are racing to save the foot-long salamander from extinction, a victim of the draining of its lake habitat and deteriorating water quality. And nonnative fish introduced into the canals are eating its lunch and its babies.
Researchers say the axolotl could disappear in five years.
“If the axolotl disappears, it would not only be a great loss to biodiversity but to Mexican culture, and would reflect the degeneration of a once-great lake system,” biologist Luis Zambrano said.
The number of axolotls (pronounced ACK-suh-LAH-tuhl) is not known. But the population has dropped from roughly 1,500 per square mile in 1998 to a mere 25 per square mile, according to a survey using casting nets.
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Pingback: Dear Kitty. Some blog :: Baby axolotls and Linnaeus :: June :: 2007
Can you post more pictures and add images of the axolotls? It would be greatly appreciated.
Hi,
I am doing a 6th grade endangerd species project on the axolotl and for part of it I have to e-mail a expert. I was wondering if you could send me some things you know about the axolotl.
Just pointing this out, but only CAPTIVE Axolotls- the ones you mentioned being used for research and as pets- are Neonatal. It is hard to get the captive bred strains to ‘morph to their adult form, though it is rare and possible.
None of the axolotls are “neonatal” they are neotenic.
Humans argue over politics. Meanwhile, the Axolotl are dying out.
Lake Xochimilco outside of Mexico City, Mexico –
The Axolotl is an aquatic salamander that never grows out of the
tadpole state. It is native to Lake Xochimilco. This animal can not be
found in the wild anyplace else on Earth. According to scientists,
there are only about 1200 left. They are becoming extinced in the wild
because of foreign fish that were introduced to the lake, back in the
1970′s. Now the local human population is dependent on the fishing
industry surrounding the lake.
These critters need to be preserved and transplanted to another lake
similar to their natural habitat. Meanwhile, we need to figure out how
they reproduce cut off limbs.
Read more at http://www.under5cents.com/search/label/Axolotl
If this animal goes extinct , things will go different , just like everything else if one species dies others go down with it and eventually bam!!!! we need to do things differently in order to make things better and to save these animals that we benifit off of.
and this article is from 2008, there are less axolotls in the wild i think, i have 3 pet axolotls and it is sad that they are going extinct. :’(