An Introduction to the Mexican Axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum) (2024)

  • Resource
  • Published:
  • Jill Gresens BS, ALAT1

Lab Animal volume33,pages 41–47 (2004)Cite this article

  • 2312 Accesses

  • 32 Citations

  • 4 Altmetric

  • Metrics details

Abstract

A number of unusual traits, including a remarkable capacity for wound healing and limb regeneration, make the axolotl an interesting animal model. The author provides an overview of axolotl care and use in biomedical research.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Access through your institution

Change institution

Buy or subscribe

Subscribe to this journal

We are sorry, but there is no personal subscription option available for your country.

More Information

Rent or buy this article

Prices vary by article type

from$1.95

to$39.95

Learn more

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Similar content being viewed by others

An Introduction to the Mexican Axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum) (9)

Spatially organized cellular communities form the developing human heart

Article Open access 13 March 2024

Elie N. Farah, Robert K. Hu, … Neil C. Chi

An Introduction to the Mexican Axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum) (10)

On the genetic basis of tail-loss evolution in humans and apes

Article Open access 28 February 2024

Bo Xia, Weimin Zhang, … Itai Yanai

An Introduction to the Mexican Axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum) (11)

New estimates indicate that males are not larger than females in most mammal species

Article Open access 12 March 2024

Kaia J. Tombak, Severine B. S. W. Hex & Daniel I. Rubenstein

References

  1. Smith, H.M. in Developmental Biology of the Axolotl (eds. Armstrong, J.B. & Malacinski, G.M.) 3–12 (Oxford University Press, New York, 1989).

    Google Scholar

  2. Griffiths, R.A., Graue, V. & Bride, I.G. The axolotls of Lake Xochimilco: the evolution of a conservation program. Axolotl Newslett. 30, 12–18 (2003).

    Google Scholar

  3. Muneoka, K., Bryant, S.V. & Gardiner, D.M. in Developmental Biology of the Axolotl (eds. Armstrong, J.B. & Malacinski, G.M.) 143–156 (Oxford University Press, New York, 1989).

    Google Scholar

  4. Chernoff, A.G. & Stocum, D.L. Developmental aspects of spinal cord and limb regeneration. Dev. Growth Differ. 37(2), 133–147 (1995).

    Article Google Scholar

  5. Nye, H.L., Cameron, J.A., Chernoff, E.A. & Stocum, D.L. Regeneration of the urodele limb: a review. Dev. Dynam. 226(2), 280–294 (2003).

    Article Google Scholar

  6. Tassava, R.A. & Olsen-Winner, C.L. Responses to amputation of denervated Ambystoma limbs containing aneurogenic limb grafts. J. Exp. Zool. 297A(1), 64–79 (2002).

    Google Scholar

  7. Barlow, L.A. Specification of pharyngeal endoderm is dependent on early signals from axial mesoderm. Development 128(22), 4573–4583 (2001).

    Google Scholar

  8. Drawbridge, J., Meighan, C.M., Lumpkins, R. & Kite, M.E. Pronephric duct extension in amphibian embryos: migration and other mechanisms. Dev. Dynam. 226, 1–11 (2003).

    Article Google Scholar

  9. Shook, D.R., Majer, C. & Keller, R. Urodeles remove mesoderm from the superficial layer by subduction through a bilateral primitive streak. Dev. Biol. 248(2), 220–239 (2002).

    Article Google Scholar

  10. Borland, S., Crawford, K. & Brand, V. Setting the stage: developmental biology in the pre-college classroom. Int. J. Dev. Biol. 47(2–3), 85–91 (2003).

    Google Scholar

  11. Voss, S.R. & Shaffer, H.B. Evolutionary genetics of metamorphic failure using wild-caught vs. laboratory axolotls (Ambystoma mexicanum). Mol. Ecol. 9(9), 1401–1407 (2000).

    Article Google Scholar

  12. Voss, S.R. & Shaffer, H.B. Adaptive evolution via a major gene effect: paedomorphosis in the mexican axolotl. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 94(25), 14185–14189 (1997).

    Article Google Scholar

  13. Asashima, M., Malacinski, G.M. & Smith, S.C. in Developmental Biology of the Axolotl (eds. Armstrong, J.B. & Malacinski, G.M.) 255–263 (Oxford University Press, New York, 1989).

    Google Scholar

  14. Bordzilovskaya, N.P. & Dettlaff, T.A. Table of stages of the normal development of axolotl embryos and the prognostication of timing of successive developmental stages at various temperatures. Axolotl Newslett. 7, 2–22 (1979).

    Google Scholar

  15. Duhon, S. The I.U. Axolotl Colony's Short Guide to the Care and Feeding of Axolotls: an overview of the methods used at the Indiana University Axolotl Colony. Axolotl Newslett. 17, 15–18 (1988).

    Google Scholar

  16. Carpenter, J.W., Ruppier, D.J. & Mashima, T.Y. Exotic Animal Formulary 2nd Edn. 25 (W.B. Saunders Co., Philadelphia, 2001).

    Google Scholar

  17. FishDoc. Malachite green and formalin: a good general-purpose anti-parasite treatment. http://www.fishdoc.co.uk/treatments/malachite.htm.

  18. Frye, F.L. & Williams, D.L. Self-Assessment Color Review of Reptiles and Amphibians 19–20 (Iowa State University Press, Ames, IA, 1995).

    Google Scholar

  19. Borland, S. Practical axolotl. Axolotl Newslett. 28, 17–21 (2000).

    Google Scholar

  20. Davidson, E.W., Jancovich, J.K., Borland, S., Newberry, M. & Gresens, J. What's Your Diagnosis? Dermal lesions, hemorrhage, and limb swelling in laboratory axolotls. Lab Anim. (NY) 32(3), 23–25 (2003).

    Article Google Scholar

  21. Humphrey, R.R. The Axolotl Colony at Indiana University. Axolotl Newslett. 1, 3–8 (1979).

    Google Scholar

  22. Keller, R.E., Loftberg, J. & Spieth, J. Neural crest cell behavior in white and dark embryos of Ambystoma mexicanum: epidermal inhibition of pigment cell migration in the white axolotl. Dev. Biol. 89(1), 179–195 (1982).

    Article Google Scholar

  23. Frost-Mason, S.K. & Mason, K.A. What insights into vertebrate pigmentation has the axolotl model system provided? Int. J. Dev. Biol. 40(4), 685–693 (1996).

    Google Scholar

  24. Frost, S.K. in Developmental Biology of the Axolotl (eds. Armstrong, J.B. & Malacinski, G.M.) 119–131 (Oxford University Press, New York, 1989).

    Google Scholar

  25. Armstrong, J.B. The axolotl mutants. Dev. Genet. 6, 1–25 (1985).

    Article Google Scholar

  26. Humphrey, R.R. & Bagnara, J.T. A color variant in the Mexican axolotl. J. Hered. 58(5), 251–256 (1967).

    Article Google Scholar

  27. Humphrey, R.R. Albino axolotls from an albino tiger salamander through hybridization. J. Hered. 58(3), 95–101 (1967).

    Article Google Scholar

Download references

Acknowledgements

All the work done by the IUAC is possible because of the generous support of the National Science Foundation (current award number DBI-0234425). In addition, the author would like to thank Axolotl Colony Director George Malacinski and the two anonymous reviewers for their insightful comments on the first drafts of this paper. Extra thanks to IUAC Curator Rachel Boyd for her photography assistance.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, Gresens is Assistant Director, Indiana University Axolotl Colony, Jordan Hall 142, 1001 E. Third St., Bloomington, IN 47405.,

    Jill Gresens BS, ALAT

Authors

  1. Jill Gresens BS, ALAT

    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMedGoogle Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jill Gresens BS, ALAT.

Rights and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Gresens, J. An Introduction to the Mexican Axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum). Lab Anim 33, 41–47 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1038/laban1004-41

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/laban1004-41

This article is cited by

An Introduction to the Mexican Axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum) (2024)
Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Wyatt Volkman LLD

Last Updated:

Views: 5970

Rating: 4.6 / 5 (46 voted)

Reviews: 93% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Wyatt Volkman LLD

Birthday: 1992-02-16

Address: Suite 851 78549 Lubowitz Well, Wardside, TX 98080-8615

Phone: +67618977178100

Job: Manufacturing Director

Hobby: Running, Mountaineering, Inline skating, Writing, Baton twirling, Computer programming, Stone skipping

Introduction: My name is Wyatt Volkman LLD, I am a handsome, rich, comfortable, lively, zealous, graceful, gifted person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.