趣怪動物學英文二 + 動物分類等級

第一次看見Axolotl 美西螈的圖片，我以為是公仔。內文附中譯及動物分類等級。

The Axolotl (or ajolote) (Ambystoma mexicanum) is the best-known of the Mexican neotenic mole salamanders belonging to the Tiger Salamander complex. Larvae of this species fail to undergo metamorphosis, so the adults remain aquatic and gilled. The species originates from the lake underlying Mexico City. Axolotls are used extensively in scientific research due to their ability to regenerate most body parts, ease of breeding, and large embryos. They are commonly kept as pets in the United States, Great Britain, Australia, Japan (where they are sold under the name Wooper Rooper), and other countries. 

Axolotls should not be confused with waterdogs, the larval stage of the closely related Tiger Salamanders (Ambystoma tigrinum and Ambystoma mavortium), which is widespread in much of North America which also occasionally become neotenic, nor with mudpuppies (Necturus spp.), fully aquatic salamanders which are unrelated to the axolotl but which bear a superficial resemblance.

美西螈(或稱墨西哥蠑螈，西班牙文 ajolote，學名Ambystoma mexicanum)是墨西哥幼體期性成熟（外表像永長不大）蠑螈中最出名的品種，屬虎紋蠑螈的混種。美西螈的型體不會經歷(為適應陸地的)完全變態，成年後仍棲息水中，用鰓呼吸。源自墨西哥市湖底。因為美西螈大多數的身體部分均能再生，易於飼養，胚胎大，所以廣泛用於科學研究。在美國、英國、澳洲、日本等國常作寵物，在日本以Wooper Rooper之名出售。

不要把美西螈混同外貌相似的水狗（北美南部的斑泥螈）、幼體期的虎螈（多見於北美，偶爾有些虎螈不能完全變態）、斑泥螈（水生動物）。
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動物分類主要按七個等級：界kingdom、門phylum、綱class、目order、科family、屬genus、種species

蠑螈：動物界 Fauna＞脊索動物門Chordata＞脊椎動物亞門Vertebrata＞兩棲綱 Amphibia＞ 有尾目Caudata＞蠑螈亞目Salamandroidea＞蠑螈科Salamandridae＞蠑螈屬 Cynops

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延伸閱讀：

趣怪動物學英文一：安哥拉長毛兔 Angora rabbit

怪動物學英文三：羊駝　Alpaca