Axolotl and salamander are two creatures that belong to the class Amphibia with some similar characteristics. Amphibians are ectothermic, four-limbed vertebrate animals that belong to the class Amphibia. Their life cycle normally starts out as aquatic larvae with gills, known as tadpoles.
The key difference between axolotl and salamander is that axolotl does not undergo metamorphosis into adults, while salamander undergoes metamorphosis into adults.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Axolotl
3. What is Salamander
4. Similarities – Axolotl and Salamander
5. Axolotl vs Salamander in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Axolotl vs Salamander
7. FAQ: Axolotl and Salamander
What is Axolotl?
Axolotls have a unique and captivating appearance. Axolotls retain their larval form throughout their lives and do not undergo metamorphosis into adults. They possess external gills and a fin-like tail that extends along the length of the body. Axolotls are native to the Xochimilco region of Mexico. They can be identified in high-altitude lakes and canals. Moreover, axolotls show neoteny. This means they retain their juvenile characteristics and reproductive abilities throughout their lives. Therefore, without undergoing metamorphosis, they reproduce by laying eggs. Their mating rituals involve complex courtship displays.
Figure 01: Axolotl
Axolotls have exceptional regeneration abilities compared to salamanders. Furthermore, axolotls face severe threats in their natural habitat and are listed on the IUCN Red List.
What is Salamander?
Salamanders are amphibians that undergo metamorphosis. They transit from aquatic larvae with gills to terrestrial adults with lungs. Moreover, adult salamanders typically have a more elongated body shape, four limbs, and a distinct tail. Salamanders live in a wider range of habitats. Many species are found in freshwater habitats, while others inhabit terrestrial or semi-aquatic environments like forests, mountains, or underground burrows.
Figure 02: Salamander
Salamanders reproduce through different methods, such as external fertilization, internal fertilization, or retaining eggs within the female’s body until they hatch. Salamanders’ regeneration abilities are better compared to axolotls. Furthermore, in contrast to axolotls, the conservation status of salamanders varies among species. Some of them are listed as endangered, while many others have stable populations and are not endangered.
Similarities Between Axolotl and Salamander
- Axolotl and salamander are two amphibians that belong to the Amphibia class.
- Both these have a larval stage with gills.
- They have regeneration capabilities.
- Both these have conservation threats.
Difference Between Axolotl and Salamander
Definition
- An axolotl is an amphibian who never goes from the larval stage to the adult stage.
- A salamander is an amphibian who usually goes from the larval stage to the adult stage.
Habitat
- Axolotl can be identified in high-altitude lakes and canals.
- Many species of salamanders are found in freshwater habitats, while others inhabit terrestrial or semi-aquatic environments like forests, mountains, or underground burrows.
Reproduction
- Without undergoing metamorphosis, axolotl reproduces by laying eggs, and the axolotl’s mating rituals involve complex courtship display.
- The adult salamander displays reproduction methods such as external fertilization, internal fertilization, or retaining eggs within the female’s body until they hatch.
Regeneration
- Axolotl has exceptional regeneration abilities.
- Salamander has limited regeneration ability.
Conservation Status
- Axolotl is highly endangered.
- Some salamander forms are listed as endangered, while many others have stable populations and are not endangered.
The following table summarizes the difference between axolotl and salamander.
Summary – Axolotl vs Salamander
Amphibians are small vertebrates. Axolotl and salamander are two amphibians that belong to the class Amphibia. However, they are different from each other. Axolotl lives in the tadpole stage forever, while salamander undergoes metamorphosis into adult salamanders. Furthermore, axolotls live in water for their entire life, whereas salamander has a wide range of habitats, including fresh water and terrestrial or semi-aquatic environments like forests, mountains, or underground burrows. This summarizes the difference between axolotl and salamander.
FAQ: Axolotl and Salamander
1. What is called an amphibian?
- Amphibians are small vertebrates. Most amphibians have four stages of metamorphosis, but not all show metamorphosis. They need water or a moist environment to survive. All of them can breathe and absorb water through their very thin skin.
2. What animals are amphibians?
- Amphibians are a class of cold-blooded vertebrates. This class is made up of frogs, toads, salamanders, newts, and caecilians and are wormlike animals with poorly developed eyes.
3. Why don’t axolotls undergo metamorphosis?
- Axolotls retain juvenile characteristics as adults. The entire axolotl life cycle is spent underwater. This trait probably arose due to the benefits of living in a relatively permanent and productive aquatic environment.
4. Where does axolotl live?
- Axolotls are native to freshwater lakes and wetlands of southern Mexico City. The location of these amphibians includes lakes, wetlands, marshes, swamps, lagoons, and canals in Mexico City.
5. What are the characteristics of a salamander?
- Salamanders have approximately 500 species of amphibians. They have slender bodies, short legs, and long tails. Salamanders undergo metamorphosis and are usually found in moist or arid habitats in the northern hemisphere.
Reference:
1. “Axolotl.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, inc.
2. “What Are Salamanders?” Burke Museum.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Axolotl-2193331 1280” By LaDameBucolique – (CC0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Salamandra salamandra MHNT 1” By Didier Descouens – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
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