What Are Pink Axolotls Called?
Axolotls are unique salamanders originating from the ancient lake systems of Xochimilco near Mexico City. They are recognized for their ability to regenerate lost limbs and even parts of their brains, a trait linked to their neotenic nature. Neoteny allows them to retain their larval features, like external gills, into adulthood, bypassing metamorphosis. Their distinctive appearance has made them popular pets, sparking interest in their diverse colorations.
What Are Pink Axolotls Called?
The “pink” axolotls are known as leucistic axolotls. They display a pale pink or whitish body. Leucistic axolotls have dark, often black, eyes, contrasting with their light bodies. Their feathery external gills typically appear bright red or pink due to the visible blood flow.
Leucism differs from albinism. Leucism involves a partial loss of pigmentation, primarily affecting the skin. In contrast, albinism is characterized by a complete absence of melanin throughout the body. This complete lack of melanin results in red or clear eyes in albino organisms.
The Genetics Behind Pink Axolotls
Leucism in axolotls is a recessive genetic trait. This means an axolotl must inherit two copies of the specific gene mutation, one from each parent, to display the leucistic coloration. The genetic mutation primarily affects the migration of melanophores, which are specialized pigment cells responsible for producing dark pigments, during the axolotl’s embryonic development. These melanophores fail to spread properly throughout the skin, leading to the absence or reduction of dark coloration.
Despite the lack of dark pigment in their skin, leucistic axolotls retain normal eye pigmentation. This occurs because the genetic pathways controlling pigment development in the eyes are distinct from those governing pigment cell migration in the skin. Therefore, while the body appears pale or pink due to the absence of dark melanophores, the eyes continue to produce and store melanin, resulting in their characteristic dark appearance.
Other Common Axolotl Color Morphs
Beyond leucistic individuals, axolotls exhibit several other common color variations, known as morphs, showcasing the species’ genetic diversity. The “wild type” axolotl represents their natural coloration, typically appearing as a greenish-brown or dark brown with subtle speckles, allowing them to blend into their native aquatic environments. This coloration is a result of a balanced presence of various pigment cells.
Albino axolotls lack all forms of melanin, leading to entirely white or golden bodies. There are also “golden albino” varieties, which have a yellow or golden hue, and “white albino” forms, which are purely white. Another notable morph is the “melanoid” axolotl, characterized by an excess of dark pigment cells, resulting in a very dark, often uniformly black, appearance without any iridescent flecks.