The regenerative feats of endangered axolotls
Originally published by Greta Friar, Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, on April 8, 2024 Credit: Pixabay, CC-0 Axolotls (Ambystoma mexicanum) are a critically endangered species of salamander . The species has only one natural habitat remaining, a series of canals in Mexico City , and only 50 to 1,000 axolotls are estimated to be left living there. However, axolotls have become popular both as pets and as model organisms in research , so descendants of axolotls collected from Mexico City many years ago can now be found around the world. Axolotls are highly regenerative , able to regrow entire limbs , and this aspect of their biology is of interest to many researchers —including some at Whitehead Institute . A strange salamander Axolotls are known for their unusual looks : They appear to be part lizard and part fish , with a l ong, finned tail good for propelling them through the water, tiny limbs , and a crown of feathery gills like stout ferns wriggling on the s