Taxonomic notes: Based on both allozymes and mtDNA, this is one of the more differentiated of the Mexican Ambystoma species; morphologically, it has evolved a superficially similar body plan to the distantly related A. dumerilii from Lago Pátzcuaro (H.B. Shaffer pers. comm.).

This species is known only from one lake (Lago Zacapu) and its surrounding streams, in north-western Michoacan, Mexico, at 2,000m asl.

This species is paedomorphic, and requires a clean, cool aquatic habitat. It is found only in Lago Zacapu and the spring-fed streams and canals associated with the lake. They do not metamorphose in nature, and individuals that have been artificially induced to metamorphose with thyroid hormone in the laboratory do not thrive. Their diet consists largely of snails and crawfish.

Although uncommon, it is probably declining.

Consumed locally for food and believed medicinal properties.

The major threat to this species is the pollution of the lake due to agricultural activities around the lake and tourism activities - next to the lagoon and in communication with it is a new bathing area.  The animals are also heavily harvested for food, and predatory fish have been introduced into the lake, which might well pose a major problem for the species.

• 9.1.3 Type Unknown/Unrecorded
• 9.2.3 Type Unknown/Unrecorded
• 8.1.1 Unspecified species
• 5.4.2 Intentional use: (large scale) [harvest]

It does not occur in any protected area. However, this is a species that could recover its numbers if the lake can be kept clean and restored. Conservation and restoration of its habitat is therefore urgent. This species can be bred in laboratory conditions, and so captive animals could be a source of new individuals to repopulate the natural habitats. Studies are needed to evaluate the sustainability of the harvest as well as the impacts of introduced predatory fishes. This species is protected under the category Pr (Special protection) by the Government of Mexico.
Species mangement plan
Hydric resource management

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

Listed as Critically Endangered because 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 the lake habitat around the city of Zacapu.

• Dyer, W.G. 1988. Megalobatrachonema (Chabaudgolvania) elongata (Baird, 1858) Baker, 1986 (Nematoda: Kathlaniidae) in Ambystoma andersoni Krebs and Brandon, 1984 from Zacapu, Michoacan, Mexico. Transactions of the Illinois State Academy of Science: 275-277.
• 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.
• Krebs, S.L. and Brandon, R.A. 1984. A new species of salamander (Family Ambystomatidae) from Michoacan, Mexico. Herpetologica: 238-245.
• 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 Lauder, G.V. 1985. Patterns of variation in aquatic ambystomatid salamanders: kinematics of the feeding mechanism. Evolution: 83-92.