?Glowing axolotl?

[axie girl]

I have seen pictures of the glowing axolotls but am not sure if they actualy glow, do they? Because there are heaps of things that you can do with photos now and so I thaught that I might as well ask the experts.

 

[coichards]

I have read about that too.

If i can remember correctly they glow green under UV light as a direct result in G.M their genes

 

[coichards]

Just remembered where I saw them

http://www.caudata.org/forum/showthread.php?t=54119

 

[tuxar linuxarmy]

glow-a-lotl

 

[flan123]

Hi!

The glowing axolotls are only seen as 'glowing' under UV light.

but, UV lights aren't good for axolotls. I don't like the though of people purchasing these as 'Novelty Axies'.

Cheers, Mike.

 

[doktordoris]

As I said on another thread, I don't like the idea of people buying a glowing axie simply because it glows. However I have no problem with an axie fan getting a glowing one. If you see what I mean.

 

[Nathan050793]

I have seen pictures of the glowing axolotls but am not sure if they actualy glow, do they? Because there are heaps of things that you can do with photos now and so I thaught that I might as well ask the experts.

The specially-bred axolotls glow green under a UV light because of Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) in their bodies.

 

[b00f]

In my opinion, a glowing axie is safe, in certain hands.

Someone who understands the impact if they release this animal into the wild.

The regular run of the mill owner, would "flush" any un-wanted animal down the loo.

Glowing axies are injected with a protien which can be transmitted genetically to its offspring.
As axies dont have 30SPF Sunblock, subjecting them to UV light "for fun" or human "entertainment" is plain wrong.

These animals were hybridized for genetic study to help save a dwindling population.

Aaron

 

[pete]

Is there any evidence that UVA emitted by standard black lights is toxic or harmful to axolotls?

The (Green fluorescent protein) GFP axolotl was created by injecting plasmid (circularized) DNA encoding for GFP into axolotls. The hopes are that this GFP DNA plasmid will get incorporated into the animal's chromosomal DNA and creates a transgenic animal. If the incorporation is maintained in the germ cells (sperm and egg), then the transgenic DNA will be stably passed on to subsequent progeny. This was the origin of the GFP axolotl.

Thusfar, there is no strong evidence of GFP toxicity when moderately expressed that I have seen identified, but this matter is still debated.

The animals emit green light (~500 nm wavelength) when subjected a UV (~400 nm wavelength) light. Under normal visible light they animals may have a green hue, but do not fluoresce.

These animals were created for development and regeneration studies, and are unlikely to be used towards saving the dwindling wild population.

The ethics of GFP pets are long debate I don't wish to get into.

 

[slimer]

Do they glow under a black light ?

 

[SUZY]

That is what they are actually glowing under, a black light.