Ambystoma mexicanum
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.
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