Normal development in Ambystoma mexicanum: A complementary staging table for the skull based on Alizarin red S...

As the role of Ambystoma mexicanum, or the Mexican axolotl, expands in research applications beyond its traditional use in studies of limb regeneration, a staging table that is more anatomically extensive is required. Here, we describe axolotl skull development as it relates to previously established developmental stages that were based on limb development.

We find that most key developmental events in the skull correspond to these previously established stages, creating easily recognizable stages of axolotl throughout skull morphogenesis.

With this complementary staging table in hand, researchers can stage axolotl larvae when limb data are missing or incomplete, or when cranial data alone is available.