Taxonomic notes: Allozyme data (Shaffer 1984a) seem to confirm the original morphological description of this as a distinct species (Dixon 1963); mitochondrial DNA sequence data indicate a very close relationship to several Mexican populations of Ambystoma velasci (Shaffer and McKnight 1996).

This species is known only from a small area around Santa Cruz, south-west of Guadalajara, in south-central Jalisco, Mexico, at approximately 1,494.5-1,586 m asl. A population in the Guadalajara area requires taxonomic confirmation. This species' range is not well understood.

AA: Si hubieran estimaciones de Area de Ocupacion o Extension de la Presencia seria genial incluirlos. Alternativamente, si hay localidades geograficas nuevas seria excelente tener las coordenadas para incluirlas en el mapa. Tambien seria muy util incluir el numero de localidades de amenaza (localidades definidas en funcion a su agregacion por amenazas).

This is a metamorphosing species that spends most of its time on land in desert shrubland and thorn forest. However, a larval stage could persist in water bodies around Guadalajara. It has been found on roads at night, and larvae have been collected in small pools and artificial ponds. Individual animals can live for 25 years.

AA: hay datos sobre el tipo de reproduccion de esta especie, numero de huevos por puesta y tolerancia hacia habitats alterados?
FORO:Larvae are only found in shallow streams with a lot of organic matter and slow current. Adults are found under rocks, logs or inside the burrows of Buller's pocket gopher (Pappogeomys bulleri), in pine-oak forest, from 2,000 to 2,400 m asl. (Jesús Rodríguez Canseco).

There is very little information on this species.

AA: Hay alguna informacion nueva sobre abundancia relativa y/o tendencia poblacional? Se encuentra esta poblacion severamente fragmentada (por favor notar que para calificar para la definicion de severamente fragmentada de UICN, se debe cumplir con lo siguiente: 1) el habitat debe encontrarse fragmentado en parches aislados, 2) la capacidad de dispersion de la especie debe ser baja, de tal manera que la probabilidad de desplazamiento entre los parches sea baja, y 3) el 50% o mas de la poblacion debe encontrarse en parches aislados).
FORO:
In 2009 this species was very common in Sierra de Quila, encountering approximately 200 individuals in a 500 meter transect on a stream, however rain patterns changed causing streams to go dry and the population declined severely. Its constant monitoring is necessary to ensure the actual status of the population in this area. (Jesús Rodríguez Canseco)

AA: Es esta especie utilizada?

The main threat to this species is the general destruction and fragmentation of its habitat as a result of smallholder farming. It is also adversely affected by water pollution, and construction of roads and human settlements. Introduced predatory fish are another serious problem.

AA: Se puede precisar cual de sus habitats es el que esta sufriendo de fragmentacion y destruccion? Se encuentra el habitat en declinacion continua? Hay alguna indicacion de la extension (por ejemplo, cuanto de la distribucion se encuentra afectada) e intensidad (severidad) de estas amenazas?
FORO:
In Sierra de Quila the main threat is the water pollution that the visitors cause, besides change in the rain patterns and intensity have caused some permanent streams to go dry reducing the population. (Jesús Rodríguez Canseco)

• 4.1 Roads & railroads
• 9.3.4 Type Unknown/Unrecorded
• 2.1.2 Small-holder farming
• 8.1.1 Unspecified species
• 1.1 Housing & urban areas

Fieldwork in the Santa Cruz area is required in order to confirm the presence of this species in the wild, and to draw up plans for the conservation of its habitat. It is protected under the category 'Pr' (special protection) by the government of Mexico.

AA: Hay alguna indicacion de que esta especie ocurra en area protegida? Cuales serian sus necesidades de conservacion a un plazo de 5 años, en vista de las amenazas que le afectan? En vista de que se encuentra en la categoria Pr, se encuentra activamente protegida por el estado mexicano, o es necesaria la implementacion de su proteccion?
FORO:
This species has been recently found in the Area de Proteccion de Flora y Fauna Sierra de Quila, where the local committee is using this species as the main target for preserving the clean conditions of the streams in the natural protected area. Local committee is monitoring the conditions of the streams to keep them clean, informing the local land holders about the importance of this species and encouranging them to take care of the water and not pollute it. (Jesús Rodríguez Canseco).
Based upon species´ distribution model, suitable habitat for this species has 52% of remnant distributional range of natural vegetation cover in Mexico (equivalent to 1,121,772 ha), but is just represented in 2,88% in protected areas (2,82% governmental PA; 0,06% 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)

• 1.1 Site/area protection

Listed as Data Deficient in view of continuing uncertainties as to its Extent of Occurrence, conservation status, and ecological requirements.

• Dixon, J.R. 1963. A new species of salamander of the genus Ambystoma from Jalisco, Mexico. Copeia: 99-101.
• 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.