Axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum). The Axolotl is a unique amphibian species native to Mexico, particularly found in the Xochimilco canals near Mexico City. It exhibits an extraordinary capacity for tissue regeneration, including regrowth of limbs, spinal cord, heart, and even parts of its brain.
When an Axolotl sustains an injury, such as the loss of a limb, it can regenerate the missing body part in a process called epimorphic regeneration. Specialized cells at the site of the injury undergo dedifferentiation, transforming into a group of stem-like cells called blastemal cells. These cells then proliferate and differentiate to replace the missing tissues, eventually forming a new functional limb.
The regenerative abilities of Axolotls have attracted significant scientific interest, as studying their regenerative mechanisms may hold valuable insights for regenerative medicine and potential applications for human tissue repair and regeneration.