IDENTIFICATION:

DISTRIBUTION: Ambystoma rosaceum nigrum is found in the high mountains of the Sierra Madre Occidental from central Durango southward to at least eastern Nayarit and adjacent Jalisco and Zacatecas. It may be found as high as 3,100m elevation.

HABITAT:

NATURAL HISTORY:

TAXONOMY: Some authors recognize nigrum as a [...]]]> DURANGO TARAHUMARA SALAMANDER
Ambystoma rosaceum – Taylor 1941
Ambystoma rosaceum nigrum – Shannon 1951

IDENTIFICATION:

DISTRIBUTION:
Ambystoma rosaceum nigrum is found in the high mountains of the Sierra Madre Occidental from central Durango southward to at least eastern Nayarit and adjacent Jalisco and Zacatecas. It may be found as high as 3,100m elevation.

HABITAT:

NATURAL HISTORY:

TAXONOMY:
Some authors recognize nigrum as a species distinct from, but obviously allied to A. rosaceum. Tanner reported larvae from Chihuahua, Mexico that displayed color characteristics of nigrum, but were found alongside typical rosaceum. More material from northern Durango and southern Chihuahua are needed to determine whether or not these salamanders deserve specific recognition or if they merely represent a clinal variation of a single species, A. rosaceum.

TYPE:

PERSONAL NOTES:
I have seen this subspecies on two occasions at a single locality in Durango, Mexico in the year 2003. Hundreds of solid black larvae were observed in a small stream where it crosses Hwy 40 on the edge of a plateau-like section of the Sierra Madre Occidental. In one small, sluggish, spring-fed feeder creek I found several large nigrum egg masses attached to submerged logs and pine branches. We searched the undercut stream banks but found no transformed salamanders.

CONSERVATION STATUS:
The IUCN Red List Status for this species is currently “Least Concern” because of its wide distribution as well as its large and seemingly stable population size.

REFERENCES:

IDENTIFICATION:

DISTRIBUTION: In Mexico, this subspecies’ range is poorly known and it may be more widespread than currently recognized. Currently it is known to occur in the State of Chihuahua, near the United States border. Introduced populations in southeast Arizona and southwest New Mexico will expand [...]]]> BARRED TIGER SALAMANDER
Ambystoma tigrinum – Green 1825
Ambystoma tigrinum mavortium – Baird 1850

IDENTIFICATION:

DISTRIBUTION:
In Mexico, this subspecies’ range is poorly known and it may be more widespread than currently recognized. Currently it is known to occur in the State of Chihuahua, near the United States border. Introduced populations in southeast Arizona and southwest New Mexico will expand and reach adjacent Sonora and Chihuahua if they haven’t done so already.

HABITAT:
In Mexico this salamander inhabits desert and desert-grassland environments. It reproduces in stock ponds, marshy areas and road culverts.

NATURAL HISTORY:

TAXONOMY:
This species is closely related to Ambystoma velasci, and is found within several-hundred miles of the nearest populations of that species.

TYPE:

PERSONAL NOTES:
I have seen this species many times, but never in Mexico. Most A. t. mavorium I have seen were either on roads during rainy nights or larvae that I seined from stock ponds in the central plains.

CONSERVATION STATUS:

REFERENCES:

IDENTIFICATION:

DISTRIBUTION: Ambystoma rivulare is recorded from several high-elevation localities in the States of Michoacán and México, México. It is also recorded from northern Guerrero from a site between Taxco and Tetipac. The latter locality as well as a record from Parque Nacional Nevado de Toluca need verification. Elevational distribution above [...]]]> MEXICO STREAM SALAMANDER
Ambystoma rivulare – Taylor 1940

IDENTIFICATION:

DISTRIBUTION:
Ambystoma rivulare is recorded from several high-elevation localities in the States of Michoacán and México, México. It is also recorded from northern Guerrero from a site between Taxco and Tetipac. The latter locality as well as a record from Parque Nacional Nevado de Toluca need verification. Elevational distribution above 2,800m.

HABITAT:
This species occurs in high-elevation streams flowing through fir, pine and pine-oak forests. Most often, salamanders are seen in quiet portions of the streams, in meanders and bends.

NATURAL HISTORY:
Ambystoma rivulare was studied in detail in El Santuario Sierra Chincua de la Reserve de la Biosfera “Mariposa Monarca” (Monarch Butterfly Sactuary Biosphere Preserve), Michoacán (Huacúz Elias, D. de. C. 2003). Both transformed adults and larvae are commonly observed during the day in stream meanders and pools, year-round. They reach high densities and feed on aquatic invertebrates.

TAXONOMY:
This species is closely related to (if not conspecific with) Ambystoma granulosum and Ambystoma lermaense; these three species represent a tight group within the Genus Ambystoma.

TYPE:
Described as Rhyacosiredon rivularis by Taylor (1940). Holotype: FMNH 100003. Type locality: “about 13 km. west of Villa Victoria, México, in a small stream in pine forest”, Mexico.

PERSONAL NOTES:
I have no experience with this species, having never been within its range.

CONSERVATION STATUS:
IUCN Red List Status for Ambystoma rivulare is currently listed as “Data Deficient” because of our lack of knowledge regarding the distribution of the species, and its interrelationships with other species within the Genus Ambystoma. The continued degradation of the habitat within its small natural range, and competition/predation by introduced fishes threaten this species’ survival. In the near future this species will probably be given the status of “Endangered”. A. rivulare is afforded Threatened status by the Mexican Government, and it occurs within the boundaries of El Santuario Sierra Chincua de la Reserve de la Biosfera “Mariposa Monarca”, and possibly Parque Nacional Nevado de Toluca.

REFERENCES:
Huacúz Elias, D. de. C. 2001. Estado de Conservación del Genero Ambystoma en Michoacán, Mexico. 53 pgs. ISBN 968-817-391-6
Huacúz Elias, D. de. C. 2003. Estado de Conservación de Ambystoma rivulare Taylor, (1940) en El Santuario Sierra Chincua de la Reserve de la Biosfera “Mariposa Monarca”. Biologicas, 5:51-63.

IDENTIFICATION:

DISTRIBUTION: High-elevation forests on the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt from the vicinity of Pátzcuaro, eastward to the border of Mexico State (Municipio de Tianguistenco). Elevation distribution above 2,200m.

HABITAT: High-elevation fir, pine and pine-oak forests in the immediate vicinity of streams; this species can utilize streams in pastures and somewhat cleared areas. [...]]]> MICHOACAN STREAM SALAMANDER
Ambystoma ordinarium – Taylor 1940

IDENTIFICATION:

DISTRIBUTION:
High-elevation forests on the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt from the vicinity of Pátzcuaro, eastward to the border of Mexico State (Municipio de Tianguistenco). Elevation distribution above 2,200m.

HABITAT:
High-elevation fir, pine and pine-oak forests in the immediate vicinity of streams; this species can utilize streams in pastures and somewhat cleared areas. Transformed individuals are generally found within 30 meters of streams.

NATURAL HISTORY:
This is the only primarily diurnal species of Ambystoma. Adults can be viewed as they forage underwater, but if disturbed they seek shelter beneath cover objects or undercut banks. Transformed adults are more common within the streams during the summer months. Transformed individuals are relatively rare in this species, but they do occur and are usually found within or adjacent to streamcourses.

TAXONOMY:
This is one of the most distinctive species of Ambystoma in Mexico.

TYPE:
Described as Ambystoma ordinaria by Taylor (1940). Holotype: FMNH 100055. Type locality: “small stream at an elevation of about 9,000 feet, four miles west of El Mirador, near Puerto Hondo, Michoacán, Mexico”.

PERSONAL NOTES:
I have no experience with this species, having never been within its range.

CONSERVATION STATUS:
IUCN Red List Status for Ambystoma ordinarium is currently listed as “Endangered” because of the highly fragmented nature of the remaining populations and the continued degradation of the habitat within its small natural range. A. ordinarium is afforded Special Protection status by the Mexican Government, and it occurs within the boundaries of Parque Nacional Bosencheve.

REFERENCES:
Huacúz Elias, D. de. C. 2001. Estado de Conservación del Genero Ambystoma en Michoacán, Mexico. 53 pgs. ISBN 968-817-391-6

IDENTIFICATION:

DISTRIBUTION: The Mexican Axolotl is known historically from Lagos Xochimilco, Chalco and probably in the connecting lakes Texcoco and Zumpango. Currently this salamander’s range is greatly reduced, and it can only be found in fragmented areas of the southern end of Lago Xochimilco and its associated canal systems; it [...]]]> MEXICAN AXOLOTL
Ambystoma mexicanum – Shaw & Nodder 1798

IDENTIFICATION:

DISTRIBUTION:
The Mexican Axolotl is known historically from Lagos Xochimilco, Chalco and probably in the connecting lakes Texcoco and Zumpango. Currently this salamander’s range is greatly reduced, and it can only be found in fragmented areas of the southern end of Lago Xochimilco and its associated canal systems; it may also be found in remnants of the Chalco wetland system.

HABITAT:
Wetlands and canal systems in the Xochimilco and Chalco lakebeds.

NATURAL HISTORY:
Ambystoma mexicanum is a paedomorphic species, meaning it lives its entire life underwater and retains the morphology of a larvae through sexual maturity. This species is probably active during the day, but moves into shallower waters at night to feed on snails, crayfish and other aquatic invertabrates.

TAXONOMY:
This is a distinct species of Ambystoma, both morphologically and genetically.

TYPE:
Described as Gyrinus mexicanus by Shaw and Nodder (1798). Holotype: ?. Type locality: “Mexico”. Restricted to “Xochimilco”, Distrito Federal, Mexico, by Smith and Taylor (1950).

PERSONAL NOTES:
I have no experience with this species, having never been within its range.

CONSERVATION STATUS:
IUCN Red List Status for Ambystoma mexicanum is currently listed as “Critically Endangered” due to highly fragmented and declining populations, habitat degradation and pollution, competition and predation by introduced fishes and human consumption of this species.. This species has been greatly exploited by fishermen for decades, and is still available for sale in local markets. A. mexicanum is afforded Special Protection status by the Mexican Government, but it does not occur in any protected areas. This species is an excellent example of how the protection status of a species in Mexico means little to the population and is not enforced to any degree.

REFERENCES:

IDENTIFICATION:

DISTRIBUTION:

HABITAT: This species is known from the wetlands surrounding Lago de Lerma and associated with the Río Lerma, south of Ciudad Toluca. It may also inhabit the canal systems within the region, but this is not yet verified.

NATURAL HISTORY: Very little in known of the habits of this species. [...]]]> LAGO DE LERMA SALAMANDER
Ambystoma lermaense – Taylor 1940

IDENTIFICATION:

DISTRIBUTION:

HABITAT:
This species is known from the wetlands surrounding Lago de Lerma and associated with the Río Lerma, south of Ciudad Toluca. It may also inhabit the canal systems within the region, but this is not yet verified.

NATURAL HISTORY:
Very little in known of the habits of this species.

TAXONOMY:
This species is closely related to (if not conspecific with) Ambystoma granulosum and Ambystoma rivulare; these three species represent a tight group within the Genus Ambystoma.

TYPE:
Described as Ambystoma lermaensis by Taylor (1940). Holotype: FMNH 100029. Type locality: “Lake Lerma, east of Toluca, México”, Mexico.

PERSONAL NOTES:
I have no experience with this species, having never been within its range.

CONSERVATION STATUS:
IUCN Red List Status for Ambystoma lermaense is currently listed as “Critically Endangered” due to the fact that this species is known from only a few, probably declining populations and the continued degradation of the habitat within its small natural range. This species is considered extinct at its type locality, Lago de Lerma; it may persist in some portions of the Río Lerma, the canals associated with the wetland, and in the vicinity of Almolya. A. lermaense is afforded Special Protection status by the Mexican Government, but it does not occur in any protected areas.

REFERENCES:
Aguilar-Miguel, X., Casas-Andreu, G. and Pineda-Arredondo, E. 2002. Ambystoma lermaense (Lake Lerma salamander). Reproduction and Development. Herpetological Review, 33(3):197.

IDENTIFICATION:

DISTRIBUTION: Ambystoma leorae is known only from the high mountains in the vicinity of the town of Río Frío, on the México/Puebla border. The elevational distribution of this species is approximately 3,000m.

HABITAT: This species inhabits high-elevation, humid pine forests. It is found within or immediately adjacent to streams within forest [...]]]> LEORA’S STREAM SALAMANDER
Ambystoma leorae – Taylor 1943

IDENTIFICATION:

DISTRIBUTION:
Ambystoma leorae is known only from the high mountains in the vicinity of the town of Río Frío, on the México/Puebla border. The elevational distribution of this species is approximately 3,000m.

HABITAT:
This species inhabits high-elevation, humid pine forests. It is found within or immediately adjacent to streams within forest with an existing canopy.

NATURAL HISTORY:
Little is known regarding the habits of this species, but both adults and larvae are found in small forest streams. Paedomorphic specimens are known but what percentage of the population they represent is unknown.

TAXONOMY:
This is a distinct species of Ambystoma, both morphologically and genetically.

TYPE:
Described as Rhyacosiredon leorae by Taylor (1943). Holotype: FMNH 100041. Type locality: “mountain stream near Río Frío, México, either in the state of Puebla or México (Balsas River drainage system)”, Mexico.

PERSONAL NOTES:
In June, 2006 a friend and I looked for this species in Río Frío to no avail. Not only could we not find any streams, but the streambeds we found were dry and filled to the brim with trash and human waste. This is one of the most disturbed sites I have seen in my travels throughout Mexico.

CONSERVATION STATUS:
IUCN Red List Status for Ambystoma leorae is currently listed as “Critically Endangered” due to its highly fragmented distribution, local population decline and extinction, and the continued degradation and desiccation of the streams within its small natural range. A. leorae is afforded Special Protection status by the Mexican Government and it occurs within the Parque Nacional Río Frío, but this area is severely disturbed (see Personal Notes above) and this species has not been seen at its type locality in over 30 years. As of 1983 it still ocurred at two sites 9 and 15 kilometers northeast of Río Frío, but no subsequent surveys have been executed to determine the status of these populations.

REFERENCES:
Reilly, S.M. and Brandon, R.A. 1994. Partial Paedomorphosis in the Mexican Stream Salamanders and the Taxonomic Status of the Genus Rhyacosiredon. Copeia, 1994:656-662.
Shaffer, H.B. 1984. Evolution in a Paedomorphic Lineage. I. An Electrophoretic Analysis of the Mexican Ambystomatid Salamanders. Evolution, 38:1194-1206.

IDENTIFICATION:

DISTRIBUTION: Ambystoma granulosum is known only from the vicinity of it’s type locality: just northwest of the city of Toluca, Mexico. The elevational range of this species lies around 3,000m.

HABITAT: The Global Amphibian Assessment refers to this species’ habitat as grassland.

NATURAL HISTORY: This is a terrestrial species that breeds in [...]]]> GRANULAR SALAMANDER
Ambystoma granulosum – Taylor 1944

IDENTIFICATION:

DISTRIBUTION:
Ambystoma granulosum is known only from the vicinity of it’s type locality: just northwest of the city of Toluca, Mexico. The elevational range of this species lies around 3,000m.

HABITAT:
The Global Amphibian Assessment refers to this species’ habitat as grassland.

NATURAL HISTORY:
This is a terrestrial species that breeds in still waters such as stock ponds and marshy meadows. Little is known regarding this salamander’s natural history.

TAXONOMY:
This species is closely related to (if not conspecific with) Ambystoma lermaense and Ambystoma rivulare; these three species represent a tight group within the Genus Ambystoma.

TYPE:
Described as Ambystoma granulosum by Taylor (1944). Holotype: FMNH 100106. Type locality: “km. 74, about 12 miles northwest of Toluca, México, México”.

PERSONAL NOTES:
I have no experience with this species, having never been within its range.

CONSERVATION STATUS:
IUCN Red List Status for Ambystoma granulosum is currently listed as “Critically Endangered” due to the fact that this species is known from a single, probably declining population and the continued degradation of the habitat within its small natural range. A. granulosum is afforded Special Protection status by the Mexican Government, but it does not occur in any protected areas.

REFERENCES:

IDENTIFICATION:

DISTRIBUTION: Ambystoma flavipiperatum is definately known only from the State of Jalisco, Mexico. It is found at moderate elevations (2,000-2,300m) in the vicinity of Tapalpa, and possibly Mazamitla; it may occur farther north in the Sierra Jolalpa, Sierra Cacoma and Sierra Verde, Jalisco.

HABITAT: This species is found in meadows and grasslands [...]]]> YELLOW-PEPPERED SALAMANDER
Ambystoma flavipiperatum – Dixon 1963

IDENTIFICATION:

DISTRIBUTION:
Ambystoma flavipiperatum is definately known only from the State of Jalisco, Mexico. It is found at moderate elevations (2,000-2,300m) in the vicinity of Tapalpa, and possibly Mazamitla; it may occur farther north in the Sierra Jolalpa, Sierra Cacoma and Sierra Verde, Jalisco.

HABITAT:
This species is found in meadows and grasslands surrounded by pine and pine-oak woodland. IUCN Global Amphibian Assessment lists its habitat as “…desert shrubland and thorn forest.” but I cannot recall any such habitat in the vicinity of Tapalpa, Jalisco.

NATURAL HISTORY:
This is a primarily terrestrial species, spending much of the year within the burrows of rodents but emerging to forage during periods of rain. It breeds in slow-moving streams and both natural and artificial ponds during the summer rainy season. During the onset of the summer rains this species migrates to their breeding pools and can be found abroad at night.

TAXONOMY:
Allozyme data (Shaffer, 1984) appears to confirm the original morphological description of this as a distinct species by Dixon (1963). Mitochondrial DNA sequence data indicates a very close relationship to several Mexican populations of Ambystoma velasci (Shaffer and McKnight 1996). Dixon (1963) mentions the similarities of this species to Ambystoma amblycephalum.

TYPE:
Described as Ambystoma flavipiperatum by Dixon (1963). Holotype: TCWC 12779. Type locality: “One mile north of Santa Cruz, Jalisco, Mexico, 4,900 ft altitude”.

PERSONAL NOTES:
Although I have not seen this species, I have visited the region around Tapalpa, Jalisco from which it was described. I hope to view this species during breeding migrations in the near future.

CONSERVATION STATUS:
IUCN Red List Status for Ambystoma flavipiperatum is currently listed as “Data Deficient” due to our lack of knowledge regarding the distribution of this species, and the fact that no historical sites have been re-surveyed for local declines. This species is probably not declining in general, and is capable of inhabiting human-altered environs. Of all the Plateau Endemic species of Ambystoma, A. flavipiperatum is probably in the least danger of wide-scale decline.

REFERENCES:
Dixon, J.R. 1963. A New Species of Salamander of the Genus Ambystoma from Jalisco, Mexico. Copeia, 1963:99-101.
Shaffer, H.B. 1984. Evolution in a Paedomorphic Lineage. I. An Electrophoretic Analysis of the Mexican Ambystomatid Salamanders. Evolution, 38:1194-1206.

IDENTIFICATION:

DISTRIBUTION: Ambystoma dumerilii is known only from Lago de Pátzcuaro (Pátzcuaro Lake), at an elevation of 2055′. A record exists for this species from San Juan del Río, Queretáro but this surely cannot represent A. dumerilii.

HABITAT: Ambystoma dumerilii was a member of several trophic zones of the lake it [...]]]> LAGO DE PATZCUARO SALAMANDER
Ambystoma dumerilii РDug̬s 1870

IDENTIFICATION:

DISTRIBUTION:
Ambystoma dumerilii is known only from Lago de Pátzcuaro (Pátzcuaro Lake), at an elevation of 2055′. A record exists for this species from San Juan del Río, Queretáro but this surely cannot represent A. dumerilii.

HABITAT:
Ambystoma dumerilii was a member of several trophic zones of the lake it inhabits, but recently it became rare in the upper levels due to competition and predation by introduced fish.

NATURAL HISTORY:
Ambystoma dumerilii is a paedomorphic species, meaning it lives its entire life underwater and retains the morphology of a larvae through sexual maturity. This species is probably active during the day, but moves into shallower waters at night to feed on snails, crayfish and other aquatic invertabrates.

TAXONOMY:
This is a well-differentiated species of Ambystoma, with an external morphology much like A. andersoni.

TYPE:
Described as Siredon dumerilii by Dugès (1870). Syntypes: USNM 16201-202; ANSF 13862. Type locality: Laguna de Pátzcuaro, Michoacán, Mexico, elevation 2055 feet.

PERSONAL NOTES:
I have no experience with this species, having never been within its range.

CONSERVATION STATUS:
IUCN Red List Status for Ambystoma dumerilii is currently listed as “Critically Endangered” due to the entire species encompasing a single declining population. Pollution, competition and predation by introduced fishes and human consumption of this species has led to its decline. This species has been greatly exploited by fishermen for decades; commercial capture volumes were reported by Orbe et al. (1991) as 19 tons in 1987, 12.5 tons in 1988, 1.7 tons in 1989 and 2 tons in 1991. Since 1991 volumes of capture are nearly immeasurable due to the comparitive paucity of animals brought in to the markets for sale. One author suggested that the average recent daily catch is two to three dozen animals (del Carmen Huacúz Elías, 2001). A. dumerilii is afforded Special Protection status by the Mexican Government, but it does not occur in any protected areas. This species is an excellent example of how the protection status of a species in Mexico means little to the population and is not enforced to any degree.

REFERENCES:
Huacúz Elias, D. de. C. 2001. Estado de Conservación del Genero Ambystoma en Michoacán, Mexico. 53 pgs. ISBN 968-817-391-6