Taxonomic notes: Based on allozymes and mtDNA, this is one of the most distinct species of Mexican ambystomatids. It might represent a species complex (H.B. Shaffer pers. comm.).

This species occurs in the north-eastern parts of the state of Michoacan, from Morelia to the south and east to El Mirador and nearby localities, Mexico, at altitudes between 2,400-2,900 m asl. Its Extent of Occurrence is calculated at 4384 km2, but the Area of Occupancy is believed to be much smaller.

In 1999 it was found to be abundant in several localities, with many populations appearing to be stable. Surveys undertaken since 2004 indicate that the population is very fragmented, declining, and the species has disappeared from some localities where it used to occur.

It inhabits streams in pastureland, as well as in forests, so it appears not to be forest-dependent. They appear to favour clear water, but they have been found in very cloudy water, and behind small dams constructed for livestock. This is appears to be a metamorphic species. Most of the animals spend most of their time in streams, where they can be found all year long.

The species was used for food consumption and its believed medicinal properties. Unlikely to be the case on large scale now due to its rarity.

Major threats to this species reported in 2004 are still ongoing and include habitat loss and degradation, due to smallholder farming, infrastructure development, and groundwater extraction (resulting in desication of its breeding streams), and pollution.

• 8.1.1 Unspecified species
• 9.3.4 Type Unknown/Unrecorded
• 7.2.8 Abstraction of ground water (unknown use)
• 9.1.3 Type Unknown/Unrecorded
• 1.1 Housing & urban areas
• 2.1.2 Small-holder farming

It occurs in Bosencheve National Park. There is a need for forest restoration surrounding the city of Morelia and in the vicinity of Patzcuaro. Improved management of the hydric resource, including reduced levels of pollution and control of invasive/introduced species, is a priority. A monitoring program to follow the population trends is recommended. This species is protected by Mexican law under the "Special Protection" category (Pr).


FORO: do not include.

Based upon species´ distribution model, suitable habitat for this species has 57% of remnant distributional range of natural vegetation cover in Mexico (equivalent to 738,480 ha), but is just represented in 12% in protected areas (9% governmental PA; 3% 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)

• 2.3 Habitat & natural process restoration
• 2.1 Site/area management
• 3.4.1 Captive breeding/artificial propagation
• 3.3.1 Reintroduction
• 1.1 Site/area protection

The pressures reported in 2004 are still ongoing and projected to continue into the future. Listed as Endangered because its Extent of Occurrence is less than 5,000 km2 and its Area of Occupancy is less than 500 km2, its distribution is severely fragmented, and there is continuing decline in the extent and quality of its forest habitat in northeastern Michoacan.

• Alavarado-Diaz, J., Garcia-Garrido, P. and Suazo-Ortuno, I. 2003. Food habits of a paedomorphic population of the Mexican salamander, Ambystoma ordinarium (Caudata: Ambystomatidae). Southwestern Naturalist: 100-102.
• Anderson, J.D. 1975. Abystoma ordinarium. Catalogue of American Amphibians and Reptiles: 1-2.
• 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.
• Lauder, G.V. and Shaffer, H.B. 1985. Functional morphology of the feeding mechanism in aquatic ambystomatid salamanders. Journal of Morphology: 297-326.
• 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.
• 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.