Taxonomic notes: Based on mitochondrial DNA (Shaffer and McKnight 1996) and allozymes (Shaffer 1984a) this species is extremely closely related to several other populations from the Mesa Central, and species boundaries are in need of careful review.

This species is found in a small area around Tacicuaro, north-western Michoacan, to the west of Morelia City in Mexico. It occurs at about 2,000m asl.

This is a metamorphosing species spending most of the time on land in a mosaic of natural grasslands and pine-oak forests. It requires ponds of moderate depth in which to breed, and is able to survive in somewhat modified landscapes, taking advantage of cattle ponds for larval development.

There is no information on current population status, although some field work by the Universidad Michoacana San Nicolás de Hidalgo in the recent past has still located the animals within its known range.

Likely the species was consumed when it was abundant, but very unlikely now.

The desiccation, pollution, and conversion of former ponds, small reservoirs, and open habitats to grow crops, reported as important threats in 2004, represent still the main threats to this species, coupled with the urban expansion of Morelia and Uruapan. Introduced predatory fish are also a major concern, both in ponds and small streams.

• 1.1 Housing & urban areas
• 8.1.1 Unspecified species
• 9.1.3 Type Unknown/Unrecorded
• 9.2.3 Type Unknown/Unrecorded
• 5.3.5 Motivation Unknown/Unrecorded

It does not occur in any protected areas. The conservation and restoration of the natural habitats for this species is urgent. It might be possible to breed this species in captivity and reintroduce it in the wild. Improved management of hydric resources is a priority, as is reducing the levels of water pollution and control of invasive/introduced fish.
It is protected under the category Pr (Special protection) by the Government of Mexico.

FORO:Based upon species´ distribution model, suitable habitat for this species has 47% of remnant distributional range of natural vegetation cover in Mexico (equivalent to 1,273,736 ha), but is just represented in 16% in protected areas (12% governmental PA; 4% social private efforts). Ochoa-Ochoa, L. Urbina-Cardona, J.N., Flores-Villela, O., Vázquez, L-B and Bezaury-Creel, J. 2009. The Effects of Governmental Protected Areas and Social Initiatives for Land Protection on the Conservation of Mexican Amphibians. PLoS ONE: 4 (9): e6878 (Nicolás Urbina)

Note: better not include the model, as this is microendemic and the model is likely biassed.

• 2.3 Habitat & natural process restoration
• 3.4.1 Captive breeding/artificial propagation
• 1.2 Resource & habitat protection
• 1.1 Site/area protection

As in 2004, it is Listed as Critically Endangered because its Extent of Occurrence is less than 100 km2 and its Area Of Occupancy is less than 10km2, its distribution is severely fragmented, and there is continuing decline in the number of mature individuals and in the extent and quality of its habitat around the city of Morelia.

• Highton, R. 2000. Detecting cryptic species using allozyme data. In: Bruce, R.C., Jaeger, R.G. and Houck, L.D. (eds), The Biology of Plethodontid Salamanders, pp. 215-241. Kluwer Academic / Plenum Publishers, New York.
• Shaffer, H.B. 1984. Evolution in a paedomorphic lineage. I. An electrophoretic analysis of the Mexican ambystomatid salamanders. Evolution: 1194-1206.
• Shaffer, H.B. 1984. Evolution in a paedomorphic lineage. II. Allometry and form in the Mexican ambystomatid salamanders. Evolution: 1207-1218.
• Shaffer, H.B. and McKnight, M.L. 1996. The polytypic species revisited: genetic differentiation and molecular phylogenetics of the tiger salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum) (Amphibia: Caudata) complex. Evolution: 417-433.
• Webb, R.G. 2004. Observations on tiger salamanders (Ambystoma tigrinum complex, Family Ambystomatidae) in Mexico with description of a new species. Bulletin of the Maryland Herpetological Society: 122-143.