Mexico Herpetology

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.