The axolotl (siredon mexicanum) . I. as material for scientific research
Brunst, V.V.
Laboratory Investigation; a Journal of Technical Methods and Pathology 4(1): 45-64
1955
ISSN/ISBN: 0023-6837 PMID: 13234311 Document Number: 10058
The suitability of the Mexican axolotl as a laboratory animal has been discussed. 1. Natural history. Siredon mexicanum is the neotenic larval form and Ambystoma mexicanum is the adult form of axolotl. Stimulation of the axolotl's metamorphosis and the average life-span of laboratory axolotls have been discussed. 2. Variations and races. The great variations in size are largely due to the type of food which axolotls receive soon after hatching. The variations in the development of gills depends on age. Two races of Mexican axolotl can be distinguished: dark (genetically dominant) and white (genetically recessive). Two kinds of pigment cells have been described. 3. Some peculiarities of axolotls as laboratory animals. Axolotls are very convenient laboratory animals suitable for various types of investigations. They are very clean and hardy. An important characteristic that they possess is the great ability for regeneration of all vertebrates. The small white axolotls are excellent subjects for demonstrating capillary circulation. 4. Keeping axolotls under laboratory conditions. The importance of temperature is considered. Types of containers, feeding of adult animals, changing of water, and diseases of axolotls have been described. 5. Breeding of axolotls. Sexual maturity of the axolotl, the breeding season, conditions for successful mating, the behavior of the animals before the mating, the spermatophores, egg laying, stimulating ovulation, and artificial insemination have been described. The raising of small axolotls, aeration of water, the feeding of young animals, and culture of Daphnia and of Enchytrae worms have been considered.
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