1 The Axolotl is a Mexican salamander that remains a larva throughout its whole lifetime. That means it reaches sexual maturity without undergoing metamorphosis. This phenomenon is called neoteny. The salamander lives completely aquatic and breathes with gills and skin respiration. Individuals typically have a length of 20 to 30cm and brown-olive spotted skin.
2 The name Axolotl has its origin in the Aztec language Nahuatl and can be translated as atl- water and Xolotl- an Aztecan god. The legend has it that Xolotl, who is the god of lightning, death, and misfortune, fled out of fear of being executed and transformed into the Axolotl.
3 The ability to regrow organs and whole limbs without even a scar makes the Axolotl unique. Understanding the biological mechanisms behind this fascinating ability and transferring them to medicine could help to save lives which is why the scientific interest in the axolotl is immense. Scientists already decoded the whole genome of the salamander and found the gen PAX7 that is believed to be responsible for the self-healing capabilities.
4 The Axolotl is endemic to Lake Xochimilco and Lake Chalco in the valley of Mexico which are fresh water lakes on the outskirts of New Mexico.
5 As a result of drainage and water pollution from Mexico city the Axolotl is endangered. Since the Axolotl also breathes with skin respiration water pollution affects it directly. But also its food source, crustaceans, and small fishes decline due to the water pollution. According to estimations, there are 700 to 1,200 individuals left today. To save the population there have been opened 70 breeding centers close to the lakes. In February 2022 dozens of bred Axolotls have been released to their natural habitat.
Sources
https://www.vfa-bio.de/vb-de/aktuelle-themen/forschung/ein-riesengenom-als-schluessel-fuer-die-regenerative-medizin#comment2 https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Axolotl