Mexican fishermen join fight to save extraordinary amphibian
endangered amphibian
with gills resembling a lion's mane and a remarkable regenerative ability.
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
The
achoque
, also known as the
Lake Patzcuaro
salamander, is a lesser known relative of the axolotl, the small friendly- faced amphibian battling extinction in Mexico City.
Overfishing, pollution and reduced water levels in Lake Patzcuaro, its only natural habitat, mean that the achoque is listed as critically endangered by the International union for conservation of nature.
In an attempt to prevent it disappearing, biologists from
Michoacana university
decided to pay the local Indigenous community of San Jeronimo Purenchecuaro to help the achoque to reproduce.
Correa, who knows the lake in the western state of Michoacan like the back of his hand, has a new job as an amphibian egg collector.
Now in his 60s, he remembers when the waters teemed with fish and there was no need to worry for the salamander.
"There used to be a lot of achoques," he told AFP.
"Now the new generation doesn't know about it."
From lab to lake
After the eggs are collected, biologist Rodolfo Perez takes them to his laboratory at Michoacana University to hatch, in the hope of giving the achoques a better chance of surviving.
After the hatchlings have grown enough, they are moved to the community's achoque protection reserve, where the fishermen care for them until they are ready to be released into the lake, said Israel Correa, a relative of Froylan Correa.
The achoque belongs to the Ambystoma group, keenly studied by scientists for an extraordinary ability to regenerate mutilated limbs and parts of organs such as the brain and heart.
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
If one loses a tail, it quickly grows another.
That has made the salamanders a subject of fascination for scientists hoping to learn lessons that could apply to humans.
Since pre-Hispanic times, the achoque has been a source of food as well as a remedy used by Indigenous people for respiratory illnesses.
Its skin colour allows it to blend into its natural habitat.
According to a local legend, the achoque was first an evil god who hid in the lake mud to escape the punishment of other deities.
Perez is trying to hatch as many eggs as possible with the help of the locals to prevent its extinction.
"It's been a lot of work," he said, adding that the biggest challenge is finding money to compensate the fishermen, since the achoques require constant care.
Collaboration between scientists and the local community has helped to stabilize the achoque population, according to the researchers.
There are an estimated 80 to 100 individuals who live in a small part of the lake, said Luis Escalera, another biologist at Michoacana university.
The number, however, is "much lower than it was 40 years ago," he said.
For the fishermen fighting to save them, it is a labor of love.
"We can't miss a day without coming because otherwise they'll die," Israel Correa said at the achoque protection reserve on the shores of Lake Patzcuaro.
"Come rain or shine, even if there's a festival, we have to be here."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
5 hours ago
- Time of India
Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum in Bengaluru turns 60, revamps gallery to Fun City
Bengaluru: As it marks its diamond jubilee, Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum (VITM) in the city remains a vital centre for science learning, with eight galleries and over 350 exhibits across 4,000 sqm in Cubbon Park. To commemorate 60 years, the museum is set to unveil a revamped version of its popular Fun Science Gallery, now rebranded as Fun City, this Sunday. The gallery will open to public at the museum building. New look for a long-standing gallery The Fun Science gallery, a fixture at VITM for years, has undergone a complete overhaul. The redesigned space features 40 exhibits, digital interfaces, and an updated layout, covering topics such as illusion art, fluid dynamics, pendulums, multi-colour shadows, classical mechanisms, and more. You Can Also Check: Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru "Nearly 50% of the exhibits are new," said Sajoo Bhaskaran, director, VITM. "The idea was to refresh the entire gallery. People want novelty. Fun City includes hands-on setups — from optical illusions and kinetic puzzles to experiments with sound, light and force — to make science more accessible. Science is not only for BSc or MSc students; anyone can enjoy it," Bhaskaran added. Space & attention are challenges Despite its popularity, the museum is constrained by limited space. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 3 & 4 BHK Starts ₹1.65 Cr in Kukatpally Honer Signatis Book Now Undo "We have eight galleries and 350 exhibits, but no room to add new crowd-pullers like the Chandrayaan-3 model," said Cyril Babu, curator, VITM. "On busy days, we see 5,000 to 10,000 visitors. The galleries are already full. We've raised the issue with the govt, but there's been no resolution yet." Cubbon Park's zoning restrictions and fire safety norms rule out vertical expansion as well. Another challenge is the diminishing attention span of visitors. "We provide detailed labels and videos, but most visitors skip them. Even 3-4 minute clips are often found to be too long," Bhaskaran said. Footfall recovers, but costs rise After a sharp dip during the pandemic, visitor numbers are slowly returning to pre-Covid levels. "We used to receive around 10 lakh visitors annually. That dropped to about 3 lakh during the pandemic. Last year, we climbed back to 9 lakh," Bhaskaran said. To manage rising operational costs, VITM will marginally increase ticket prices from Rs 95 to Rs 100 from Aug 1. "We're required to revise prices for maintenance. We have a small team of 80 handling administration and upkeep, despite heavy footfall," Bhaskaran added. Looking ahead Plans are already in place to renovate the electro-technical gallery next year. "The goal is to ignite curiosity. We want every visitor, especially children, to realise that science is not out of reach. Science is evolving constantly, and while we are doing our best to keep up, we need more space to grow," Babu said. Box VITM's journey ■ Established on July 14, 1962 by National Council of Science Museums (NCSM) ■ Dedicated to Sir M Visvesvaraya ■ Official birthday on July 27, 1965, the day the first gallery was inaugurated ■ Idea by journalist and nationalist, BN Gupta ■ Inaugurated by Jawaharlal Nehru ■ First exhibition on electricity on July 27, 1965 — Source: VITM
Economic Times
a day ago
- Economic Times
Can genetics predict obesity? New study may help spot risk in kids before it is too late
Synopsis A new study introduces ancestry-specific polygenic risk scores that double the effectiveness of predicting adult obesity risk compared to current methods. Analyzing genetic data from over 5 million individuals, the tool identifies those at risk early in childhood. While genetics play a role, lifestyle and environmental factors remain crucial in addressing the global obesity epidemic. iStock A new study introduces ancestry-specific polygenic risk scores that double the effectiveness of predicting adult obesity risk compared to current methods. (Image :iStock) Imagine knowing whether your child may be at risk for obesity—not years after weight gain begins, but long before it shows. A groundbreaking new study published in Nature Medicine suggests this could soon be possible, thanks to a genetic tool called polygenic risk scores (PGS).Led by over 600 scientists from 500 institutions worldwide, and drawing data from The Genetic Investigation of ANthropometric Traits (GIANT) consortium and 23andMe, the study analyzed genetic information from more than 5 million individuals. Their goal? To develop a more precise way to predict a person's likelihood of developing obesity, starting from childhood. Current obesity risk tools largely rely on family history, diet, and lifestyle. But this study's new ancestry-specific and multi-ancestry polygenic risk scores proved about twice as effective in predicting obesity in adulthood compared to existing people of European ancestry, for example, the score accounted for 17.6% of an individual's risk of developing a high Body Mass Index (BMI)—a key indicator of obesity. The study included a broad participant base: 70% had European ancestry, 14.4% were Hispanic, 8.4% East Asian, 4.6% African, and 1.5% South while the tool is promising, it isn't a crystal ball. 'Obesity is not only about genetics,' said Dr. Ruth Loos, study co-author and professor at the University of Copenhagen's Novo Nordisk Foundation Center, in an interview with NBC News. 'Genetics alone can never accurately predict obesity… other factors, such as lifestyle, need to be part of the predictions.' The urgency behind such research is clear. Obesity is now considered one of the world's fastest-growing public health threats. According to World Health Organization (WHO) data: In 2022, 2.5 billion adults were overweight, including over 890 million with obesity. Childhood obesity is skyrocketing—35 million children under five were overweight in 2024, and over 390 million adolescents aged 5–19 were overweight in 2022. Obesity was a factor in 3.7 million global deaths in 2021 alone. Perhaps more troubling is the shift in obesity prevalence from wealthier nations to low- and middle-income countries, where children face a 'double burden' of both undernutrition and rising obesity rates. The WHO warns that these children often live in environments where high-calorie, nutrient-poor foods are cheap and accessible, but healthier choices and safe spaces for exercise are is much more than a number on a scale. It increases the risk of nearly 200 diseases, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, asthma, and certain cancers. For children, the stakes are even higher: obesity not only impacts their physical and mental health but also academic performance and social wellbeing due to stigma and childhood obesity often carries into adulthood, setting the stage for chronic illness and shorter lifespans. 'Children with obesity are very likely to be adults with obesity,' notes the WHO. While genetic scores like the one developed in this study could revolutionize early detection, experts caution that there's no one-size-fits-all solution. Dr. Karen Hacker, director of the CDC's National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention, told USA TODAY that effective obesity prevention must address broader social determinants of health—including access to healthcare, nutritious food, physical activity, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends multifaceted strategies: from medication and surgery for treatment, to policy-driven efforts ensuring access to healthy food, safe physical environments, and stigma-free support systems.
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
Can genetics predict obesity? New study may help spot risk in kids before it is too late
Imagine knowing whether your child may be at risk for obesity—not years after weight gain begins, but long before it shows. A groundbreaking new study published in Nature Medicine suggests this could soon be possible, thanks to a genetic tool called polygenic risk scores (PGS). Led by over 600 scientists from 500 institutions worldwide, and drawing data from The Genetic Investigation of ANthropometric Traits (GIANT) consortium and 23andMe, the study analyzed genetic information from more than 5 million individuals. Their goal? To develop a more precise way to predict a person's likelihood of developing obesity, starting from childhood. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category PGDM Public Policy Degree Artificial Intelligence Project Management Finance healthcare Digital Marketing Technology Leadership Data Science others MBA MCA Others Data Analytics CXO Healthcare Cybersecurity Data Science Management Product Management Operations Management Design Thinking Skills you'll gain: Financial Analysis & Decision Making Quantitative & Analytical Skills Organizational Management & Leadership Innovation & Entrepreneurship Duration: 24 Months IMI Delhi Post Graduate Diploma in Management (Online) Starts on Sep 1, 2024 Get Details What the Study Found Current obesity risk tools largely rely on family history, diet, and lifestyle. But this study's new ancestry-specific and multi-ancestry polygenic risk scores proved about twice as effective in predicting obesity in adulthood compared to existing assessments. In people of European ancestry, for example, the score accounted for 17.6% of an individual's risk of developing a high Body Mass Index (BMI)—a key indicator of obesity. The study included a broad participant base: 70% had European ancestry, 14.4% were Hispanic, 8.4% East Asian, 4.6% African, and 1.5% South Asian. But while the tool is promising, it isn't a crystal ball. 'Obesity is not only about genetics,' said Dr. Ruth Loos, study co-author and professor at the University of Copenhagen's Novo Nordisk Foundation Center, in an interview with NBC News. 'Genetics alone can never accurately predict obesity… other factors, such as lifestyle, need to be part of the predictions.' You Might Also Like: This one food habit could shield you from arthritis, obesity and diabetes. Science backs what Indian kitchens always knew The Global Obesity Epidemic The urgency behind such research is clear. Obesity is now considered one of the world's fastest-growing public health threats. According to World Health Organization (WHO) data: In 2022, 2.5 billion adults were overweight, including over 890 million with obesity. Childhood obesity is skyrocketing—35 million children under five were overweight in 2024, and over 390 million adolescents aged 5–19 were overweight in 2022. Obesity was a factor in 3.7 million global deaths in 2021 alone. Perhaps more troubling is the shift in obesity prevalence from wealthier nations to low- and middle-income countries, where children face a 'double burden' of both undernutrition and rising obesity rates. The WHO warns that these children often live in environments where high-calorie, nutrient-poor foods are cheap and accessible, but healthier choices and safe spaces for exercise are not. Why Early Detection Matters Obesity is much more than a number on a scale. It increases the risk of nearly 200 diseases, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, asthma, and certain cancers. For children, the stakes are even higher: obesity not only impacts their physical and mental health but also academic performance and social wellbeing due to stigma and bullying. Importantly, childhood obesity often carries into adulthood, setting the stage for chronic illness and shorter lifespans. 'Children with obesity are very likely to be adults with obesity,' notes the WHO. You Might Also Like: Are you really obese? Experts challenge BMI as only measure of obesity, propose new guidelines for better health What Can Be Done? While genetic scores like the one developed in this study could revolutionize early detection, experts caution that there's no one-size-fits-all solution. Dr. Karen Hacker, director of the CDC's National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention, told USA TODAY that effective obesity prevention must address broader social determinants of health—including access to healthcare, nutritious food, physical activity, and education. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends multifaceted strategies: from medication and surgery for treatment, to policy-driven efforts ensuring access to healthy food, safe physical environments, and stigma-free support systems.
