Observed / described structure
External gills, four limbs, long tail
- Class / group
- Amphibia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Environment lens
- freshwater
- Movement
- swim, walk
- Support
- internal skeleton
- Covering
- skin
Field record · Amphibia
Axolotl
Ambystoma mexicanum · a source-backed example record for comparing structure, variation, environment, and representation.
How not to overread the picture
Variation: Wild-type coloration varies; captive color morphs are common but are not a substitute for species identity.
Representation: Gill fronds and tail fin are visually salient; a field representation should not imply color alone identifies the species.
Process / function synthesis: An aquatic salamander that commonly retains larval features into adulthood.
Evidence note
Historically native to the Xochimilco/Chalco lake system of the Valley of Mexico; freshwater habitat and classification are source-backed.
Trait constellation
external gillsfour limbstail finaquatic adult
Trait chips are editorial retrieval labels for this universe. They are not a formal diagnostic key.