Biomaterial Database

Housing and maintenance of Ambystoma mexicanum, the Mexican axolotl. 2015

Johanna E Farkas, and James R Monaghan

Department of Biology, Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115-5000, USA.

The aim of this paper is to assemble a significant amount of information on Ambystoma mexicanum, the axolotl salamander, to assist in the basic knowledge needed to raise, breed, and study most aspects of axolotl biology. It is important to understand the basic biology of the axolotl in order to make informed decisions on their proper care and use in experiments. Therefore, we will provide necessary information to the non-herpetologist that will assist in their study of this unique and fascinating animal. We also aim to provide a resource on the general anatomy, behavior, and experimental tips specific to the Mexican axolotl that will be of use to most axolotl laboratories. Axolotls have been actively researched since the 1860s, giving testament to their relatively straightforward maintenance and their versatility as an animal model for development and regeneration. Interest in using the axolotl in laboratory research has grown tremendously over the past decade, so dedicated resources to support the study of this species are needed and encouraged.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008297	Male		Males
D001947	Breeding	The production of offspring by selective mating or HYBRIDIZATION, GENETIC in animals or plants.	Breedings
D005260	Female		Females
D000333	Aeromonas	A genus of gram-negative, facultatively anaerobic, rod-shaped bacteria that occurs singly, in pairs, or in short chains. Its organisms are found in fresh water and sewage and are pathogenic to humans, frogs, and fish.
D000558	Ambystoma mexicanum	A salamander found in Mexican mountain lakes and accounting for about 30 percent of the urodeles used in research. The axolotl remains in larval form throughout its life, a phenomenon known as neoteny.	Axolotl,Mexican Salamander,Ambystoma mexicanums,Axolotls,Salamander, Mexican,mexicanums, Ambystoma
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D000822	Animal Husbandry	The science of breeding, feeding and care of domestic animals; includes housing and nutrition.	Animal Husbandries,Husbandries, Animal,Husbandry, Animal
D013048	Specimen Handling	Procedures for collecting, preserving, and transporting of specimens sufficiently stable to provide accurate and precise results suitable for clinical interpretation.	Specimen Collection,Collection, Specimen,Collections, Specimen,Handling, Specimen,Handlings, Specimen,Specimen Collections,Specimen Handlings
D016905	Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections	Infections caused by bacteria that show up as pink (negative) when treated by the gram-staining method.	Bacterial Infections, Gram-Negative,Infections, Gram-Negative Bacterial,Bacterial Infection, Gram-Negative,Gram Negative Bacterial Infections,Gram-Negative Bacterial Infection,Infection, Gram-Negative Bacterial