Formation of the pronephros and pronephric duct rudiment in the Mexican axolotl

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Abstract
In the Mexican axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum), the pronephros begins to form at the four‐somite stage. It is initially continuous with the posterior‐lateral region of somite 2 and the lateral margin of somites 3 and 4. By the seven‐somite stage, the pronephros has become compacted, and the cells are now morphologically distinct from the somitic cells. At this stage, a mass of loosely connected cells, apparently originating from the lateral mesoderm, is seen below somites 4 and 5. By the eight‐somite stage, these presumptive duct cells have migrated dorsally to the duct path and are found below somites 5–7. By the nine‐somite stage they have begun to migrate caudally.