Vesp
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I know this is pretty advanced to discuss, but I think it is worth considering if someone has the ability and means to do so. I will try to keep it short and simple.
1. The Spotted Salamander, Ambystoma maculatum, forms a very tight and mutually beneficial relationship with a specialized type of algae. This makes their eggs photosynthetic.
2. The Axolotl, Ambystoma mexicanum, often Albino, is somewhat closely related to Ambystoma maculatum. I suspect the difference in their egg structures and other bodily functions to allow for the same type of algae to grow in them and allow their eggs to be photosynthetic (allowing for better and faster development) is very little.
3. If one were to carefully, with a sterile and very small needle extract some of the algae within an egg of a spotted salamander, and inject it into a very young and new egg it could possibly colonize the egg, and the salamander, allowing for further generations of that salamander to also contain and have this algae and unique photosynthetic relationship.
This might be useful for several reasons:
1. Healthier, larger, and more developed salamanders after hatching
2. They could hatch earlier.
3. If released back into the wild, it might give them a competitive advantage and allow for re-population of a dying species for whatever reason: being that the eggs are greenish, they are better hidden from their predators. If they develop faster, this decreases the reproductive cycle of an Axolotl, allowing for an increased rate of evolution. Plus success rate of eggs in the wild might increase for other reasons along with shorter development period, and blending in with the area better. Perhaps the larvae are stronger and bigger allowing for increased food types immediately after hatching, etc.
4. If Albino, and given ideal conditions + selective breeding, perhaps the Axolotl could become slightly photosynthetic for its entire life. (Unlikely, and unlikely to make a difference.. but who knows?) -- This is highly unlikely, and borderline delusional, however!
1. The Spotted Salamander, Ambystoma maculatum, forms a very tight and mutually beneficial relationship with a specialized type of algae. This makes their eggs photosynthetic.
2. The Axolotl, Ambystoma mexicanum, often Albino, is somewhat closely related to Ambystoma maculatum. I suspect the difference in their egg structures and other bodily functions to allow for the same type of algae to grow in them and allow their eggs to be photosynthetic (allowing for better and faster development) is very little.
3. If one were to carefully, with a sterile and very small needle extract some of the algae within an egg of a spotted salamander, and inject it into a very young and new egg it could possibly colonize the egg, and the salamander, allowing for further generations of that salamander to also contain and have this algae and unique photosynthetic relationship.
. Eggs of A. maculatum can have a symbiotic relationship with a green alga, Oophila amblystomatis.[4][5] Jelly coating prevents the spotted salamander eggs from drying out, however it inhibits oxygen diffusion (required for embryo development). The Oophila alga photosynthesizes and produces oxygen in the jelly. The developing salamander thus metabolizes the oxygen, producing carbon dioxide (which then the alga consumes). It has recently been discovered that photosynthetic algae are present within the somatic and possibly the germ cells of the salamander. [6] That means the salamander is a photosynthetic animal.
This might be useful for several reasons:
1. Healthier, larger, and more developed salamanders after hatching
2. They could hatch earlier.
3. If released back into the wild, it might give them a competitive advantage and allow for re-population of a dying species for whatever reason: being that the eggs are greenish, they are better hidden from their predators. If they develop faster, this decreases the reproductive cycle of an Axolotl, allowing for an increased rate of evolution. Plus success rate of eggs in the wild might increase for other reasons along with shorter development period, and blending in with the area better. Perhaps the larvae are stronger and bigger allowing for increased food types immediately after hatching, etc.
4. If Albino, and given ideal conditions + selective breeding, perhaps the Axolotl could become slightly photosynthetic for its entire life. (Unlikely, and unlikely to make a difference.. but who knows?) -- This is highly unlikely, and borderline delusional, however!