The axolotl ( Ambystoma mexicanum ), a salamander species native to Mexico, is a remarkable animal that has captured the attention of scientists and animal lovers alike for centuries. Also known as the “water god,” this remarkable amphibian is especially admired for its unique traits, including its ability to remain in a larval stage for its entire life and its unparalleled regenerative abilities.
The axolotl is different from other salamanders in many ways. Instead of the typical metamorphosis in which an amphibian changes from an aquatic larva to a terrestrial adult, the axolotl remains in a juvenile, aquatic stage for its entire life. This phenomenon, known as neoteny, means that the axolotl reaches adulthood without losing its gills and other larval characteristics. While this salamander can still undergo metamorphosis and become a terrestrial species under the right conditions, this is rare and can be stimulated by hormonal changes, such as the addition of thyroid hormones to its diet. However, metamorphosis often has negative consequences for the animal's life expectancy.
The axolotl’s reproduction is also fascinating. When the male reaches sexual maturity, he deposits a spermatophore, a gelatinous sperm packet, on the bottom of his watery environment. He then performs an elaborate courtship dance to attract a female. If the female is interested, she will take the spermatophore through her cloaca and lay between 100 and 600 eggs. These eggs are carefully deposited on aquatic plants and develop into larvae within two to three weeks. It is crucial that the eggs are separated from the adults in captivity to prevent cannibalism, a behavior that is common in axolotls.
Regeneration capacity
What makes the axolotl truly unique is its extraordinary ability to regenerate lost body parts. This includes not only limbs, but also complex organs such as the heart, brain and spinal cord. Where mammals heal with scar tissue when injured, the axolotl can completely regenerate almost any part of its body without loss of function.
The regeneration process in the axolotl begins as soon as the animal sustains an injury. The wound epidermis quickly seals the wound, and a blastema, a collection of undifferentiated cells, forms beneath the skin. These cells begin to divide and differentiate into the specific cell types needed to replace the lost tissue. This entire process is controlled by a complex interaction of signals and factors that ensure that the right cells migrate to the right place and begin working on repair.
Credits: (McCusker et al., 2015)
Scientists are very interested in this regenerative potential because it could provide insights relevant to human medicine, particularly for understanding and potentially improving wound healing and tissue regeneration in humans. Research on the axolotl often involves amputating a limb and then observing the regeneration process. This is done by using various dyes, such as EdU and DAPI, which make actively dividing cells visible under a microscope. This allows researchers to follow in detail the migration of cells to the site of injury and the subsequent tissue regeneration.
Conclusion
The axolotl is not only an intriguing pet, but also an important model organism for scientific research. Its unique biological characteristics, including its neoteny and extraordinary regenerative abilities, make it a fascinating subject of study. Scientists hope that a better understanding of these characteristics can lead to new insights into healing and regeneration in humans. While the axolotl spends its life in the tranquil waters of its natural habitat or in aquariums, it remains a source of inspiration and a symbol of nature’s ability to restore the body.
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Open the following link and delve into the literature study by McCusker and his colleagues.
McCusker, C., Bryant, S. V., & Gardiner, D. M. (2015). The axolotl limb blastema: cellular and molecular mechanisms driving blastema formation and limb regeneration in tetrapods. Regeneration , 2 (2), 54–71. https://doi.org/10.1002/reg2.32
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