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. 2015 Dec 1;65(12):1134-1140.
doi: 10.1093/biosci/biv153. Epub 2015 Nov 1.

A Tale of Two Axolotls

S Randal Voss  1 , M Ryan Woodcock  1 , Luis Zambrano  2
Affiliations

A Tale of Two Axolotls

S Randal Voss et al. Bioscience. .

Abstract

The Mexican axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum) is an icon of culture, a revered aquarium pet, and a highly valued animal model in biomedical research. Unfortunately, Mexican axolotls are critically endangered in their natural Xochimilco habitat in Mexico City. If axolotls go extinct, current efforts to conserve the Xochimilico ecosystem will be undermined, as will efforts to genetically manage the laboratory populations that are needed to sustain research efforts around the world. A concerted global effort is needed to protect and manage this irreplaceable species in natural and laboratory environments.

Keywords: Mexican axolotl; Xochimilco; paedomorphosis; regeneration; restoration.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
The albine axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum). Photo by Daniel Manzur.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
The Xochimilco axolotl population has declined dramatically over the last few years.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
A timeline of 22 stock introductions into the Ambystoma Genetic Stock Center (AGSC) axolotl population. Five stock introductions contributed genetic material that is predicted to be present in the genomes of all AGSC axolotls (*). The genetic material from three stock introductions was lost and is not present in the current ASGC population (†).
Figure 4.
Figure 4.
The coefficients of inbreeding calculated for all current Ambystoma Genetic Stock Center adult axolotls (N = 1206).
Figure 5.
Figure 5.
Refuges for axolotls in Xochimilco canals. Canals surround rectangular islands used by local farmers with traditional agriculture system (Chinampa). The land
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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