Taxonomic notes: Section empty

This species was known only from the type locality, San Martin, in north-western State of Mexico, at 2,500m asl. The species was known to occur in the municipalities of Almoloya de Juárez, Amanalco de Becerra, Valle de Bravo, Tenango del Valle y Coatepec Harinas. Currently is only known to occur the Area de Protección de Flora y Fauna Nevado de Toluca, between 2400-2900 m asl.

This is a metamorphosing species spending most of its time on land in a mosaic of natural grasslands and pine-oak forests, living in somewhat more open habitats than Ambystoma amblycephalum. It requires ponds and small streams in which to breed.

Of six known population, only one is known to remain. The remaining population is stable and apparently in good condition.

There are no records of this species being utilized. Other Ambystomas are known to have been consumed, so the possibility exists that this was also the case for this species.

The habitat of this species is under threat from agriculture, in particular from commercial wheat farming, leading to the desiccation and pollution of its breeding lakes and water reservoirs within its small range, and leading to the extinction of five of six known populations. However, survival of this species appears to be compatible with sheep grazing, particularly if stock ponds are available for breeding.
A recent development is that the former Parque Nacional Nevado de Toluca has changed its status and is now only a Conservation Area, a far less strict conservation category. Field work shows an increase in logging and the use of agrochemicals in the area already.

• 8.1.1 Unspecified species
• 1.1 Housing & urban areas
• 2.1.3 Agro-industry farming
• 9.1.3 Type Unknown/Unrecorded
• 9.3.4 Type Unknown/Unrecorded
• 2.1.2 Small-holder farming

It occurs in the Area de Conservación Nevado de Toluca, but the management of this area needs to be strongly improved. A monitoring program to follow population trends is highly advisable. Ex-situ breeding programs could be attempted in order to secure a stock with which to reintroduce the species into its range.
It is protected under the category Pr (Special protection) by the Government of Mexico.

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

Listed as Critically Endangered because field work undertaken since the species was last assessed (2004) has confirmed the disappeareance of five known populations, and the protected area where the only known healthy population lives has been downgraded to a less strict conservation category.
its Extent of Occurrence is less than 100 km2 and its Area Of Occupancy is less than 10km2, all individuals are in a single sub-population, and there is continuing decline in the extent and quality of its habitat in Mexico state.

• 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.