Question

If an axolotl larva of Mexican Salamander is kept in iodine depleted water then
A. It will fail to metamorphose but become sexually mature
B. There will be no effect on its metamorphosis
C. It will metamorphose but remain sexually immature
D. It will fail to metamorphose and will remain sexually immature

Answer 1

The Mexican Salamander belongs to the genus Ambystoma of the phylum Chordata. It belongs to the family of Amphibian. Amphibian shows dual habitat which means it is found in both aquatic habitat and terrestrial habitat.

Complete answer:
The axolotl larva is also known as the Mexican walking fish. It is a neotenic salamander. It is in relation with the Tiger salamander. The name Mexican came from its origin. It was first found in the Lakes of Mexican city and so its name has originated as the Mexican salamander. The axolotls are unusual among amphibians. This is because they reach adulthood without undergoing metamorphosis. The biological process or phenomenon occurring in the life cycle of an organism in which the organism after hatching from egg develops into larva and develops a change that is relatively abrupt in the animal’s body and that causes change in structure through cell growth and differentiation is called metamorphosis.
The axolotl larva of the Mexican salamander reaches sexual maturation at the larval stage which means that at the larval stage it is capable of reproduction and giving birth to young one. The larval stage requires iodine solution for the production of thyroxine hormone. This thyroxine hormone is responsible for the sudden or abrupt change in the life cycle which is also known as metamorphosis. The iodine is the main factor that is needed for metamorphosis. So, in the absence of iodine, the larva may become sexually mature but will not undergo metamorphosis.
The larva will become sexually mature but will not metamorphose. So, from the above explanation it is clear that a larva can become sexually mature on reaching maturity but will not metamorphose.

Hence, the correct answer is option (A)

Note: The Mexican salamander has a lifespan of 15 years. The axolotl is a carnivorous organism which means that it feeds on other organisms. The axolotl feeds on the small prey such as the worms, insects, small fishes etc. They sense or locate food with the help of smell and will snap the meal. They suck the food into the stomach with vacuum force.