Modelos animales en anfibios

Abstract

An animal model is a non-human animal useful for research and teaching because it has specific characteristics that resemble a human or superior animal. In the design of those animal models, the keys are the election of the correct species and the viability to extrapolate the data obtained to the species in which these are going to be used. In this work the anatomic, physiologic and ecological aspects that turn some of the amphibian species in the most employed animal models in investigation are reviewed. These are: easy breeding, tolerance to diverse habitats, high prolificity, phylogenetic and ecological diversity, tissue regeneration capability, unique ability to undergo metamorphosis, high sensitivity to climatic and habitat changes. The most important amphibian models used in research are reviewed in this article.