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Although I am fully aquatic creatures (mainly depends on my gills), but I also posses lungs to help me breathing on shallow water

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Although I am fully aquatic creatures (mainly depends on my gills), but I also posses lungs to help me breathing on shallow water

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My genome has been fully sequenced in 2018

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My genome has been fully sequenced in 2018

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Yet the biggest set of genetic sequenced that has been fully sequenced

- 32 Giga-base pairs-
Read here if interested

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Have capibility of regeneration

High rate of reproduction

Eggs are 30 times larger, easy for manipulation

Neuroscience: Neural plate are 600 times larger by volume

Varies pigmentation from one cell to another (to track which tissues in an embryo become which organs)

Very amenable to microsurgery

Excellent wound healing

Embryos survive well

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Anatomy and Physiology

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Male (left) ; Swollen cloaca, Female (right); unswollen cloaca. Amphibian Ark. Retrieved from https://www.amphibianark.org/

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The sexes are easily distinguished in adult.

Males: Enlarged/swollen cloaca, slimmer body
Female: Smaller cloaca, round and plump boy

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Breeding ritual involve dance 💃, a "waltz"

Mating system: polygyandrous; egg (polyspermic)

Features: Iteroparous (repoduce multiple times), seasonal breeding (wild), oviparous,

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Unlike other amphibians, axolotls are paedomorphic/neoteny whereby they retain their juvenile characteristic throughout life. Axolotl is said to escape metamorphosis into terrestrial creatures, so they stay in the water for their entire lives. However, some of the progeny may undergo spontaneous metamorphosis transformed into land-living animals (but with a very low probability)

Axolotl can be induced to undergo metamorphosis by injecting thyroid hormone into them.

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Facts: Although axolotl may live more than 10 years, however most laboratory axolotl may live up to 6 years only or die shortly after metamorphosis

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In contrast to axolotl which has a full capacity for regeneration, mammals' capacity for regeneration is reduced with age. Human neonates, for example, may regenerate their heart tissue, and children can regenerate their fingertips, therefore it is likely that the genetic code for regeneration is preserved in adult mammals. With the recently fully sequenced axolotl genome, Debuque et al. have successfully demonstrated that humans have untapped regenerative capacity.

On the basis of their previous study that revealed macrophage plays a critical role in promoting regeneration in axolotl as axolotl who macrophage deficient tends to form scar instead of regenerate similar like mammals - the researchers took a novel signaling transduction comparative approach comparing the macrophages quality in the axolotl to those in the mouse in promoting regeneration with the evidence of Toll-like receptor (TLR) can regulate inflammation in response to injury and it is evolutionary conserved.

The research shows unexpected results where the response of both respective macrophages is similar towards pathogens but it is different when it comes to injury. This study mainly focuses on the TLR-MAPK pathway which found that mouse signaling responses are diametrically opposed to those of the axolotl, and negative control of TLR-MAPK signaling is favored. Axolotl macrophage signaling promotes regeneration (new tissue) while in the mouse they promote scarring.

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Regeneration, wound healing, development, and cancer growth are all governed by the same systems. There is growing evidence linking cancer growth and regeneration via common signaling pathways, with disruption of the well-balanced and coordinated regeneration process leading to cancer. Axolotl who have a high regenerative capacity is observed to resist cancer formation. Therefore, identification of the associated bioactive compound in the Axolotl is important for the therapeutic approach for humans. Sulaiman et al. (2020) in this study evaluating the potential anticancer activity of axolotl (AXO) Ambystoma mexicanum crude extract on human AML HL-60 cells.

The AXO crude extract is obtained from amputated tissue (bone and soft tissue) through several extraction processes following amputation of the axolotl's hindlimbs. The results of this experiment validate that AXO crude extract serves as an antiproliferative and pro-differentiation compound.

Exhibit differentiation-inducing activity

- Increased expression of CDKN1A and CDKN2C

- Induce morphological changes: partial granulocytic, chromatin condensation, decreased nucleoplasmic ratio (similar to those seen in plant extract treatment)

- Induced granulocytic differentiation through mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway

- Overexpression of SP11 and downregulating the c-MYC

Antiproliferative activity

- Inhibit cell growth via inducing G0/G1 cell arrest

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As A. mexicanum carries a lethal cardiac recessive mutation that impairs the development of the heart in its embryo, it is the best model for heart development study. A previous study by Kochegarove et al. found that Myofibril-Inducing RNA (MIR), a non-coding RNA in the normal axolotls, has been shown to promote myofibrillogenesis and heart beating in the mutant (c/c) axolotl embryos.

In this study, Kochegarove et al. have found a functional RNA homolog to the axolotl MIR in promoting heart development in the human, through random cloning of genes expressed in the human fetal heart.

The heart of mutant embryos (specifically which do not have a beating heart) were extracted and treated with the active clone of human RNA (microRNA-499c). Generally, the transfected mutant heart is successfully rescued and normal heart development is restored. It is demonstrated by the restoration of beating in the heart, a significant increase in cardiac markers such as tropomyosin, cardiac troponin T, and a-syntrophin which is consistent with the previous finding using axolotl MIR.

These findings will help to understand the underlying mechanism of heart development and have an impact on future treatment related to heart disease/malformation.

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Due to their endlessly malleable bodies and ability to rebound from the trauma inflicted on them , Axolotl is a central organism in regenarative medicine study including:

Stem cell

Wound healing

Aging

Cancer

Besides that, as they are neoteny, Axolotl involves in:

Embronic development/ Developmental biology

Neurobiological studies

Hormonal study (esp Thyroid hormone)

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Welcome to the Axolotl's world. Feel free to navigate yourself here. ENJOY!

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Remarkable ability to regenerate lost or damaged tissues, including whole organs, limbs, and parts of the central nervous system without any SCARS!

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I am 1000X resistant towards cancer compared to mammals

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I am 1000X resistant towards cancer compared to mammals

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Venerated as a God by the Aztec, Axolotl is named after the Aztec's God of Fire and Lightning, Xolotl

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Farkas J.E., Monaghan J.R. (2015) Housing and Maintenance of Ambystoma mexicanum, the Mexican Axolotl. In: Kumar A., Simon A. (eds) Salamanders in Regeneration Research. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 1290. Humana Press, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-2495-0_3

3 pairs of feathery protuding gills

Distinctive caudal fins stretching from back of the head to the vent

Small eye

Blunt snouts and large mouth (a bottom feeder)

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Usually carries axanthic gene (ax/ax) and/or cardiac (c) mutation

Have different type of albino depending on their genotypes. Examples

A - Golden albino (D/- a/a)
B - Albino axanthix (D/ a/a ax/ax): Looks paler yellow (adult) as they accumulate riboflavins from the diet
C - White albino (d/d a/a): similar to the white type but have pink eyes rather than black

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Can be melanoid or non melanoid (upon request)

Black eye and pinkish skin

Usually carries short toes gene (s/s; unidentified) and eyeless (e) mutation

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Embryo/Larvae/Juvenile/Adult:
Dark
Non-melanoid
Non-albino
Non-axanthic

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Embryo: Any pigment mutant may segregare

Larvae/Juvenile/Adult: Any phenotype is possible

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Types of mutant gene that available at AGSC

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Types of mutant gene that available at AGSC

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If you want to know the description of each mutant gene click here

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Classified by the mutant gene it carry

For example:
Albino (a)
Cardiac non function (c)
Short toes (s)
Eyeless (e)

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According to the Ambystima Genetics Stock Center, there are 22 stocks of Axolotl being introduced in the AGSC since Humphrey founded it.

The ancestry of the AGSC axolotl population can be traced back to 1863, the longest pedigree of any laboratory animal.

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1. Ambystoma Geneticnig Stock Center. (2022). Retrieved from https://ambystoma.uky.edu/

2. Debuque, R. J., Nowoshilow, S., Chan, K. E., Rosenthal, N. A., & Godwin, J. W. (2021). Distinct toll-like receptor signaling in the salamander response to tissue damage. Developmental dynamics : an official publication of the American Association of Anatomists, 10.1002/dvdy.340. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1002/dvdy.340

3. Farkas J.E., Monaghan J.R. (2015) Housing and Maintenance of Ambystoma mexicanum, the Mexican Axolotl. In: Kumar A., Simon A. (eds) Salamanders in Regeneration Research. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 1290. Humana Press, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-2495-0_3

4. Kochegarov, A., Moses, A., Lian, W. et al. A new unique form of microRNA from human heart, microRNA-499c, promotes myofibril formation and rescues cardiac development in mutant axolotl embryos. J Biomed Sci 20, 20 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1186/1423-0127-20-20

5. Majchrzak, A. 2004. "Ambystoma mexicanum" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 25, 2022 at https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Ambystoma_mexicanum/

6. Malacinski, G. M. (1978). The Mexican Axolotl, Ambystoma mexicanum: Its Biology and Developmental Genetics, and Its Autonomous Cell-Lethal Genes. American Zoologist, 18(2), 195–206. http://www.jstor.org/stable/3882374

7. O'Shea, R., & CVT. (2021). Basic Information Sheet: Axolotl. Retrieved from https://lafeber.com/vet/basic-information-sheet-axolotl/

8. Reiß, C., Levit, G., Hossfeld, U., & Olsson, L. (2015). The Mexican Axolotl in Russia. The History of an Early Laboratory Animal as a Transnational Process, 1864–1940. Studies in the History of Biology, 7, 29-38.

9. Suleiman, S., Di Fiore, R., Cassar, A., Formosa, M. M., Schembri-Wismayer, P., & Calleja-Agius, J. (2020). Axolotl Ambystoma mexicanum extract induces cell cycle arrest and differentiation in human acute myeloid leukemia HL-60 cells. Tumour biology : the journal of the International Society for Oncodevelopmental Biology and Medicine, 42(9), 1010428320954735. https://doi.org/10.1177/1010428320954735

10. Vance, Erik. (2017). THE AXOLOTL PARADOX. Nature. 551. 286-289. 10.1038/d41586-017-05921-w.

11. Voss, S. R., Woodcock, M. R., & Zambrano, L. (2015). A Tale of Two Axolotls. Bioscience, 65(12), 1134–1140. https://doi.org/10.1093/biosci/biv153

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Due to its high reproductivity, scientists thought that axolotl is ideal for an animal model as the stock can be proliferated through out the year.

In the USA, with just 5 white offspring from Wistar Institute stock, Dr. Rufus Humphrey established a collection and founded the AGSC, where now become the major breeding and distribution center for A. mexicanum.

Upon request, AGSC also can produce custom genetic stock/strain.

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6 individuals to 3300 individuals only in 2 years

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6 individuals to 3300 individuals only in 2 years

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As most of the axolotl was kept in the society zoo, 5 males and 1 female were given to the famous zoologist, Auguste Duméril to be kept and exhibited

With the experience and tradition of caring for unknown animals from all over the place, Dumeril with his team successfully breed the axolotl in one year

The success of the axolotl reproduction with a mysterious transformation phenomenon (where newly born animals morphed into land-dwelling forms) kept the axolotl attention among the European scientist

As the collection is expanded, Dumeril started to distribute the axolotl (including fertilized eggs and young individuals) around Europe to the interested scientist.

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As Mexico was occupied by France in the 1860s, the France government initiate an expedition to study and sample the country's natural and cultural riches in line with the concern of the jeopardy of the local axolotl population

34 Xochomillo's axolotl were brought back to Paris in 1863 as part of the expedition as natural and cultural artifacts. (The ancestor of the majority of today's domestic axolotl)

Most of the axolotl were send to a society zoo, Jardin zoologique d’acclimatation

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The primary habitat of Axolotl, Xochimillo started to deteriorate after the fall of the Aztec Empire

The degradation became more rapid as a result of the rapid urbanization of Mexico City in the '50s causing a high water supply burden. Eventually, Xochimillo lake is scarce with water as it no longer receives water input from other springs and rivers. Till today, the previously vast aquatic habitat has been turned into a set of the artificial canal.

The urbanization also causes depletion of wetlands with polluted, salted, and alkaline the available water

Reduction in axolotl population also aggravated by the overabundance of introduced fishes that prey on the most vulnerable stages of the axolotl's life cycle: eggs and juveniles

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Axolotl is native to Mexico

During pre-Columbian times, the aquatic environment in the Central Valley was perfect for the Axolotl

Axolotls flourished in the environment as the area was further engineered by the Aztecs into a system of canals and wetlands

Axolotls live abundantly and become the source of food for the Aztecs

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                            Kingdom: Animalia

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                            Kingdom: Animalia

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Origin: Nahuatl (Aztec Language)
Means: Water-dog (Moving-fish)
" Atl" = Water, "Xolotl" = Dog

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However, Xolotl is unwilling to sacrifice himself for the movement of the new sun. To avoid being slaughtered, Xolotl transforms himself into three creatures;

Xolotl ( a maize plant)

Mesolotl (double maguey plant)

Axolotl (amphibian animal: salamander)

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According to the legend, The God of Wind, Ehecatl starts to slaying all other Gods in order to prompt the movement of the newly created Sun (Fifth Sun) as it does not move to the sky after being initially created.

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                                         Ancient Beliefs

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                                         Ancient Beliefs