Evolution of the Mexican Axolotl

7th Edgardo, Lindsay, Victoria, And

Austin.

Zoology

• Kin to the Axolotl are the Waterdogs, Tiger Salamanders, and other amphibians.

• 6-8 inches in length. Large, wide heads. Lidless eyes.

• Axolotl is said to have arrived from the Tiger Salamander

Tiger Salamander.

Axolotl

Anatomist Contribution

• The jaw and spine have many similarities between the tiger salamander and axolotl. But if you look close, the salamanders tail runs into a curve, while the axolotl stays straight as it is usually in the water for swimming.

• When the salamanders adapted to being in the water for food, they began to develop a more flexible spine, and also their tails became thickened so that they could glide through the water more fluently. Eventually, they produced gills, for permanent living in the water into the species we call the Axolotl.

Tiger salamander skeleton

Mexican Axolotl skeleton

Paleontologist Contribution

• Images of fossils• Written explanation of similarities of fossils

Molecular Biology• Is a Tiger Salamander’s off -shot , because it can interbreed with

the species with some success.• The metamorphosed wild type axolotl bears a close resemblance

to the Mexican race of the Tiger Salamander .• Generally accepted that neontey is a “backward” step in

evolution , because the axolotl is descended from what was once terrestrial Salamanders .

• Larva of theses species fails to undergo metamorphosis.• Axolotl’s should not be confused with waterdogs, the larval stage

of the closely related Tiger Salamanders. • Fully aquatic Salamander which are not closely related to the

axolotl, but bear a superficial resemblance