A Tale of Two Axolotls
Abstract
The Mexican axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum) is an icon of culture, a revered aquarium pet, and a highly valued animal model in biomedical research. Unfortunately, Mexican axolotls are critically endangered in their natural Xochimilco habitat in Mexico City. If axolotls go extinct, current efforts to conserve the Xochimilico ecosystem will be undermined, as will efforts to genetically manage the laboratory populations that are needed to sustain research efforts around the world. A concerted global effort is needed to protect and manage this irreplaceable species in natural and laboratory environments.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Pub Defense Publication
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 2015
- Source ID
- 10.1093/biosci/biv153
Entities
People
- Luis Zambrano
- M. Ryan Woodcock
- S. Randal Voss
Organizations
- Army Research Office
- National Institutes of Health
- University of Kentucky