The Axolotl (or ajolote) (Ambystoma mexicanum) is the best-known of the
Mexican neotenic mole salamanders belonging to the Tiger Salamander
complex. Larvae of this species fail to undergo metamorphosis, so the adults remain aquatic and gilled. The species originates from the lake underlying Mexico City.
Axolotls are used extensively in scientific research due to their
ability to regenerate most body parts, ease of breeding, and large
embryos.
They are commonly kept as pets in the United States, Great Britain,
Australia, Japan (where they are sold under the name Wooper Rooper, and
other countries.

Axolotls should not be confused with waterdogs, the larval stage of the
closely related Tiger Salamanders (Ambystoma tigrinum and Ambystoma
mavortium), which is widespread in much of North America which also
occasionally become neotenic, nor with mudpuppies (Necturus spp.), fully
aquatic salamanders which are unrelated to the axolotl but which bear a
superficial resemblance.

تم النشر بقلم :محمـود21/01/13, 03:01 am