Amphibians are the only vertebrates that undergo a transformation known as metamorphosis, which consists of a series of anatomical and physiological changes between the larval and adult forms. Within the amphibians, we find the order Caudados, in which we have, among others, the family Ambystomatidae, also known as mole salamanders The genus Ambystoma forms part of the aforementioned family and includes a more than 30 species, commonly referred to as axolotls. A peculiarity of some species of axolotls is that they do not undergo metamorphosis, like the rest of the amphibians, but maintain their larval features even when they are adults, an aspect known as neoteny.
Axolotls are endemic to North America, mainly to Mexico, with some species having cultural importance within the country. However, despite this, certain animals in this group are in danger of extinction for various reasons. We invite you to continue reading this article on our site so that you know some of the types of axolotls that exist.
Mexican Axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum)
This axolotl is, in a way, the most representative of the group and one of its peculiarities is due to the fact that it is a neotenic species, so that adults measuring about 15 cm or more have the appearance of a giant tadpole. It is endemic to Mexico and is in critical danger of extinction due to the following factors: contamination of the aquatic environment where it lives, introduction of invasive species (fish), consumption mass as food, supposed medicinal uses and capture for commercialization.
Another aspect that makes the Mexican axolotl special is that in the wild it has dark colors that appear almost black, but are actually brown, gray or intense green, which allows them to camouflage very well in the funds where they are. However, in captivity, through selective crosses, individuals with variations in body tone have been obtained, so that there are black, albino, pink albino, white albinos, golden and leucistic albinos. The latter have white tones and black eyes, unlike albinos, who have white eyes. All of these captive variations are commonly used for pet trade.
Stream salamander (Ambystoma altamirani)
This type of axolotl does not usually exceed 12 cm in length. The back and sides of the body are purple-black, while the belly is purple, but also has light stripes that go from the head to the tail.
Inhabits high altitudes above sea level, specifically in small rivers located in pine or oak forests, although they are also found in grassland waters. The adult forms can be aquatic or terrestrial The species is in danger of extinction
Snub-headed salamander (Ambystoma amblycephalum)
Also endemic to Mexico, this species of axolotl lives in high habitats, at about 2,000 m.a.s.l., especially in thickets, and has been declared critically endangered.
Its size usually does not exceed 9 cm, so it is small compared to other species. This is where metamorphosis occurs. On the other hand, the dorsal area is dark or black, while the ventral area is gray with cream-colored spots that vary in size.
Axolotl of the Zacapu Lagoon (Ambystoma andersoni)
Also known as Anderson's salamander, adults with robust bodies measure between 10 and 14 cm, although there are larger specimens. The species does not metamorphose, its coloration is dark orange with black dots or spots all over the body.
Until now it has only been located in the Laguna de Zacapu, in Mexico, as well as in streams and canals surrounding the body of mentioned water. They usually prefer to be in the vegetation of the aquatic bottom. Unfortunately, this type of axolotl is also critically endangered
Thin-skinned salamander (Ambystoma bombypellum)
There are no exhaustive studies on the risk of extinction of this species, so for the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) it is in the category of insufficient data It is not so large in size, on average about 14 cm.
The color of the back is bluish-brown gray, with the presence of a dark median dorsal line that runs from the head to the tail. It also comes to present in the caudal and lateral area whitish gray coloration, while the ventral sides are brown. It lives at about 2,500 m.a.s.l., in bodies of water located in meadows and mixed forests
Patzcuaro Axolotl (Ambystoma dumerilii)
The Pátzcuaro axolotl is a neotenic species, which is only found in Lake Pátzcuaro in Mexico and is considered incritical hazard . Both males and females measure between 15 and 28 cm approximately.
Its coloration is uniform and generally tan brown, however, some reports also indicate the presence of individuals with this hue but mixed with violet and other lighter tones in the lower areas.
Cold river salamander (Ambystoma leorae)
This type of axolotl used to have a larger distribution range, but due to pollution and habitat transformation, it is now heavily restricted, categorized as critically endangered. extinction.
This species undergoes metamorphosis and when they are adults they remain in bodies of water. Its average size is about 20 cm and it presents greenish coloration on the lateral and dorsal areas with brown spots, while the ventral part is cream.
Lerma Axolotl (Ambystoma lermaense)
This species has the peculiarity that some individuals may be neotenic, while others go through metamorphosis, mainly those found in its natural environment. They measure about 16 cm or more and their bodies present a uniform coloration from gray to black if they do not make the transformation, while in the metamorphosed forms, the legs and areas of the mouth are lighter in color.
They live in what remains of Lake Lerma and its associated rivers. Due to significant habitat impact, they are listed as Critically Endangered.
Toluca stream salamander (Ambystoma rivulare)
Another of the best-known types of axolotls is the Toluca stream axolotl. It is black in color, with light gray lips and ventral area. In addition, the lateral area and tail have certain spots that are darker than the rest of the body. They measure about 7 cm or more and the females are usually more robust and larger than the males. They undergo metamorphosis, but the adults remain in the water.
It is considered critically endangered and its main habitat is rivers in mountainous areas associated with volcanic areas, specifically in biomes such as pine forests and oaks.
In this article on our site we are showing you the types of axolotls that exist, but… do you know what they feed on? Find out in What do axolotls eat? - Axolotl feeding.
Alchichica Axolotl (Ambystoma taylori)
In its natural environment it is a neotenic species, but captive individuals in laboratories have developed metamorphosis. They measure about 17 cm or less in length and the coloration can be from yellow to intense shades, with the presence of dark or light spots in some cases throughout the body.
They live in the brackish waters of the Alchichica lagoon and the associated basin, and generally stay on the bottom, although at night they can come ashore. It is classified as critically endangered.
Other types of axolotls
The species of axolotls mentioned above, as we have mentioned, are endemic to Mexico, however, there are others of the genus Ambystoma that also inhabit the United States and many of them are commonly known as salamanders, although this name is also used for other families of the group of amphibians, such as for the Salamandridae, which are usually called salamander or newts
Among the other types of axolotls that exist, we can mention:
- Ringed salamander (Ambystoma annulatum).
- Stream salamander (Ambystoma barbouri).
- Reticulated salamander (Ambystoma bishopi).
- California salamander (Ambystoma californiense).
- Frostwood salamander (Ambystoma cingulatum).
- Yellow Spotted Salamander (Ambystoma flavipiperatum).
- Northeastern salamander (Ambystoma gracile).
- Toluca Axolotl (Ambystoma granulosum)
- Jefferson's salamander (Ambystoma jeffersonianum).
- Blue-spotted salamander (Ambystoma laterale).
- Mabee's Salamander (Ambystoma mabeei).
- Long-toed salamander (Ambystoma macrodactylum).
- Spotted Salamander (Ambystoma maculatum).
- Texas tiger salamander (Ambystoma mavortium).
- Marbled salamander (Ambystoma opacum).
- Puerto Hondo salamander (Ambystoma ordinarium).
- Pink Axolotl (Ambystoma rosaceum).
- Pinewood Salamander (Ambystoma silvense).
- Altiplano salamander (Ambystoma subsalsum).
- Mole Salamander (Ambystoma talpoideum).
- Small-mouth salamander (Ambystoma texanum).
- Tiger salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum).
- Mexican tiger salamander (Ambystoma velasci).
Axolotls are high-pressure species, making most critically endangered. The urgent implementation of more effective measures is necessary to allow the axolotls to recover from the aforementioned impacts and thus manage to stabilize their populations.