Ancient Mexican 'Water Monster' Battles Extinction Agence France-Presse
go to original September 12, 2014

Biologists are trying to preserve the axolotl, a creature that is one of the few natural links Mexicans still have to the Aztecs. (Rodrigo Cruz/The New York Times)

MEXICO CITY - Dubbed the “water monster” by the Aztecs, the axolotl salamander is battling extinction in the remnants of Mexico City’s ancient lake, alarming scientists hoping mankind learns from its ability to regenerate organs.

The creature, whose colours vary from milky white to black and olive green, has survived in the Xochimilco canals since most of the lake was drained over the centuries following the Spanish conquest.

But the weight of the sprawling megacity of 20mn is taking its toll on a species that can also resist cancer and reproduce complex brain tissue.

Researchers have studied the salamander’s cells in the hopes of grasping how to regenerate organs and body parts of people suffering from malformations or accidents.

While the female can lay 1,500 eggs four times a year, only 0.3 axolotls on average are found every square kilometre compared to 1,000 in 1996, according to a study by the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM).

So now UNAM scientists, under the auspices of Britain’s Kent University, are striving to keep the legendary animal alive. The scientists are trying to convince local farmers to stop using harmful pesticides and avoid growing non-native plants near the canals in the south of the city.

In return, their vegetables would get an eco-friendly label that makes them more valuable.

Read the rest at Gulf Times

Axolotl swimming and eating worms (Jesse Bailey)

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