The blunt-headed salamander (Ambystoma amblycephalum) is a mole salamander endemic to Mexico. It is only known from the vicinity of its type locality, near Morelia, in Michoacán state in Southwestern Mexico.[2] It inhabits a landscape consisting of a mosaic of natural grasslands and pine-oak forests at elevations of about 2,000 m (6,600 ft) asl. Breeding takes place in ponds.[1] An average adult has a mass of 6.18 grams while wet. [3] Adult females of the species range from 42-93 mm and males range from 45.4-70.5 mm in standard length. [4]
| Blunt-headed salamander | |
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Amphibia |
| Order: | Urodela |
| Family: | Ambystomatidae |
| Genus: | Ambystoma |
| Species: | A. amblycephalum
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| Binomial name | |
| Ambystoma amblycephalum Taylor, 1940
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It has both neotenic and terrestrial populations. Neotenic populations are perennibranchiate and retain their fins. Neotenes are very long with extremely short, blunt heads and round eyes. They have relatively short, thick gills. Their coloring is dark brown-gray dorsally, with a lighter gray under-belly. They have small, dark marks on their head and back.[citation needed]
Habitat edit
Blunt-headed salamanders are native only to a small region of Michoacán located in Mexico. They inhabit pine forests in hilly regions located near agricultural sites. These areas are typically subjected to fragmentation. [4] They also are found in grasslands, and mostly exist on land. They need wetland areas with ponds for breeding. Some have been found to utilize cattle ponds with muddy bottoms during larval stages. [1] Blunt-headed salamanders have been discovered hiding under logs nearby to ponds and wetland breeding sites. Their region has humid weather during all seasons, with the rainy season occurring in the summer. The area contains an arrangement of native grass and shrub species. [4]
References edit
- ^ a b c IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group (2016). "Ambystoma amblycephalum". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T59050A53973313. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-1.RLTS.T59050A53973313.en. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- ^ Frost, Darrel R. (2014). "Ambystoma amblycephalum Taylor, 1940". Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.0. American Museum of Natural History. Retrieved 8 March 2014.
- ^ "Ambystoma amblycephalum Taylor 1940 - Encyclopedia of Life". eol.org. Retrieved 2024-04-27.
- ^ a b c "AmphibiaWeb - Ambystoma amblycephalum". amphibiaweb.org. Retrieved 2024-04-27.
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