Question: Two Chimera Axolotl

[mikeg]

Here are two babies. Both are from the same parents born at the same time. They seem to be possibly chimera axolotls. Rare enough to get one chimera but two from the same batch of eggs! What do you guys think? Are they Chimera or is it too early to tell?

*Breeding question*
From what i was able to research chimerism is a mutation and not a genetic? that means if i breed the two they can not pass on the genes. Anyone have any further information of chimerism breeding? possibly even from outside of Axololts?

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[Wysper]

They are very beautiful babies!

Chimeras are not a gene that can be passed on, so no, breeding two Chimeras will NOT guarantee you get the same from the offspring.

Chimeras are an accident that happens in egg development, where two eggs are laid as one and fuse together to grow as the same axolotl.

- "Chimerism is when two eggs fuse together in development, and each side grows according to the egg it came from, often resulting in a split-down-the-middle appearance. One side can often grow at a slightly slower rate than the other.
Chimera cannot be duplified in breeding, it is caused by an accident during development."

-- Copied from http://sillyaxolotls.wixsite.com/sillyaxolotls

 

[GeorgeAquatics]

You may have noticed that some pairs are more likely to produce twins and triplets than other pairs. Since chimeras happen as a result of two embryos being fused, it stands to reason that the more twins are in the batch, the greater your chances would be. Does this particular pair often give you twins?

Here's everything I've been able to find on here:


MOSAICS AND CHIMERAS

---
“Chimera”
http://www.caudata.org/forum/f46-be...neral-discussion/72661-chimaera-axolotls.html
-

“Very Strange Axolotl Colour Morph” (Chimera)
http://www.caudata.org/forum/f46-be...802-very-strange-axolotl-color-metamorph.html

 

[auntiejude]

- "Chimerism is when two eggs fuse together in development, and each side grows according to the egg it came from, often resulting in a split-down-the-middle appearance. One side can often grow at a slightly slower rate than the other.
Chimera cannot be duplified in breeding, it is caused by an accident during development."

-- Copied from http://sillyaxolotls.wixsite.com/sillyaxolotls

This isn't true in axolotls - a true chimera can only be formed in mammals in a womb.
These are technically mosaics, which is caused by a mutation in the eggs. The earlier the mutation happens the bigger the obvious mutation pattern.

 

[Wysper]

So you are saying all Chimera Axolotls are not really Chimeras at all, but merely Mosaics and Chimeras do not exist in Axolotls?

 

[auntiejude]

So you are saying all Chimera Axolotls are not really Chimeras at all, but merely Mosaics and Chimeras do not exist in Axolotls?

Yes, exactly that.
But I think 'merely' mosaics are fantastic!

It's a misnomer that has propagated on the internet, much like everything else.