On this planet that appears to be on the verge of collapse due to the damage we are doing to our biodiversity, it is fascinating that humans begin to understand the importance of recovering ecosystems to prevent species like Axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum) from becoming extinct.
The efforts made in different regions of Mexico, especially in the State of Mexico, such as the case of Xochimilco, with the support of young people, who are challenged to prevent the urban slick from invading and destroying these small reserves.
This essay is useful for the hypothetical reader to know and be curious to learn more about neoteny, the fascinating characteristic of the Axolotl of Xochimilco and if that will be enough to overcome the challenge of its species, extinction.
The Axolotl, a unique amphibian from the channels of Xochimilco, made us think that it was the reincarnation of an ancient God who refused to die. This small animal surprises because it does not become an adult, it is always a child. Despite being from the families of salamanders, it does not transform as such, that is, they do not undergo metamorphosis in all its phases.
One of the questions that intrigues us is how it is possible that it does not complete its metamorphosis like the rest of the salamanders, it is a watershed of the concept of evolution, the forces of natural selection that the axolotls count so that through thyroxine it is able to stay young and even without being in an adult stage, as in the rest of the animal species, can reproduce.
This small amphibian is distinguished by having horns and gills, it is native to ancient channels and lakes in Mexico. These amazing animals have the ability to regenerate tissues and organs, they are also the only species that appear to be young during their lives, this does not mean that they are immortal, but that they retain their larval features in their adult life, only some due to stressful situations, climate change or some external factor, they are forced to change that unusual characteristic, this causes them to culminate in becoming a salamander with completely different characteristics.
Despite the fact that it is an animal endemic to Mexico and that it possesses unique characteristics, among others we find that they have a gelatinous type skeleton, which is why it is not decalcified, even in its old age, they can lay 300 to 1000 eggs and their life expectancy is 10 to 12 years, but if they are cared for in captivity they can live up to 15 years, the embryos are transparent and the horns on their heads are gills, these ancient animals are in danger of extinction due to different factors, among which stand out; Pollution of the waters where they live and hunt for food or to keep them as pets. The problem is that if the axolotl becomes extinct, the other species are in critical danger of becoming extinct as well, even the other species are at greater risk.
There have been studies in which it has been proven that the axolotl can regenerate your nerves, muscles and even bones in a matter of weeks, so it has caught the attention of scientists since it has helped them address questions from various perspectives that do not have had them before, for example with cancer, it is known that the axolotl can live a long time and that the formation of tumors is low, so if you understand the physiology and molecular biology of this animal, you could understand why they generate a such a low rate of cancer, so you could also understand what is causing this disease. This particular characteristic of regenerating has many advantages of different types.
The axolotls feed consists of small crustaceans, worms, earthworms, slugs, snails, crickets, mosquito larvae, frog tadpole, sometimes fish and other organisms from the lakes where they live. In captivity, they are generally fed with dried shrimp or float food such as that given to turtles, and in addition they can feed on small pieces.
It is considered a cannibal animal, since it ingests its larvae, for this reason it is advisable to separate the larvae at birth, it is worth mentioning that the young feed on zooplankton until their digestive system allows them to switch to an adult diet.
Every time human beings are becoming aware that observing nature we will find the solution to several of our problems that we experience on the planet, the form of cellular regeneration of axolotls, can help us in the way that we can regenerate the favorable conditions for a life in harmony on our planet Earth.
Changing the perspective that people have of these animals because they see them as a pet or delicacy, since they are contributing to their extinction, or worse, that they seem unattractive and for that reason they usually kill them, is unacceptable. The participation of the whole society is fundamental to avoid the further deterioration of the ecosystems where they live. We must promote support for programs such as the Xochimilco Ecological Rescue Plan, which are very important for the preservation of their habitat, as well as the effort and the contribution of the inhabitants of Xochimilco that have contributed to the decrease in pollution.
Let us support this species that characterizes its neoteny, of course, it has the right, like all the inhabitants of this planet, to coexist and coexist on it, that is why scientific, technological, empirical and holistic research that allows us to mitigate and adapt to change Climate change must be accelerated to save this species urgently.
