Taxonomic notes: Additional work differentiating this species from nearby populations of Ambystoma velasci is needed (Shaffer and McKnight 1996).

Historical records of this species indicate presence in six municipalities near Toluca between 2500-3000 m asl, though currently restricted only to the central highlands of the State of Mexico, near the city of Toluca, in the Río Lerma and the Lerma Lake around Almoloya (Area de Protección de Flora y Fauna Ciénagas de Lerma).

It is a variable species, with individuals capable of reaching sexual maturity either in the metamorphosed or larval stage. Metamorphosed individuals spend most of the time on land in grassland habitat. It breeds in streams, lakes and moderately deep-water reservoirs.

Since the species was last assessed (2004), the species has been recorded in the three lagoons of the Lerma protected area. Population in one of the lagoons seems relatively healthy, and in the other two there are records of malformations and pollution.

It is consumed locally as food and because of its believed medicinal properties. This species is also used in religious rituals locally.

The extremely high degree of pollution of the rivers and pools where this species breeds has contributed to its decline. There is also a serious problem of habitat loss due to urban expansion. In addition, animals have been captured for food consumption, while introduced predatory fish and bullfrog might also be a threat.

• 5.4.6 Motivation Unknown/Unrecorded
• 9.3.4 Type Unknown/Unrecorded
• 9.1.3 Type Unknown/Unrecorded
• 6.1 Recreational activities
• 2.3.1 Nomadic grazing
• 8.1.1 Unspecified species
• 1.1 Housing & urban areas
• 1.2 Commercial & industrial areas
• 1.3 Tourism & recreation areas
• 9.2.3 Type Unknown/Unrecorded
• 5.1.1 Intentional use (species is the target)
• 9.4 Garbage & solid waste

Conservation of the lagoons, through the implementation of a sound management plan, is a priority and should include habitat restoration actions. A species management plan should be developed and implemented, ideally together with protected area managers and local communities. The species is amenable to breeding in captivity, and this should be considered in the conservation plans. Improved management of the hydric resource, including reduced pollution - both from urban effluents and industrial effluents, and control of introduced/invasive species, is a major priority. A monitoring program to follow the population trends is recommended. This species 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 36% of remnant distributional range of natural vegetation cover in Mexico (equivalent to 68,773 ha), but is just represented in 37% in protected areas (33% governmental PA; 3,7% 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)

• 1.2 Resource & habitat protection
• 1.1 Site/area protection
• 3.4.1 Captive breeding/artificial propagation

Listed as Critically Endangered because field work undertaken since the species was last assessed (2004) confirmed the continuing decline in the extent and quality of its habitat, and in the number of mature individuals. Its Extent of Occurrence is less than 100 km2 and its Area Of Occupancy is less than 10km2, and all individuals are in a single location.

• Aguilar-Miguel, X., Casas-Andreu, G. and Pineda-Arredondo, E. 2002. Ambystoma lermaense (Lake Lerma salamander). Reproduction and development. Herpetological Review: 197.
• 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.