Ambystoma leorae (TAYLOR, 1943). New records, natural history notes and threat status

Abstract

Ambystoma leorae (TAylOR, 1943), is endemic to the “Sierra Nevada” mountains of central México. its known distribution (Figs. 1A, 1B) is restricted to six locations within the protected area “iztaccihuatl Popocatepetl National Park” (iPNP). The salamander was originally described from the town of Rio Frio (TAylOR 1943); later it was recorded in three sites surrounding the area (vEgA-lóPEZ & AlvAREZ 1992; lE MOS-ESPiNAl et al. 1999), and in another two southern sites (lEMOS-ESPiNAl & AMAyA EliAS 1985; vEgA-lóPEZ & AlvAREZ 1992). These records are restricted to the upper tributaries of the Balsas River in the west of the iPNP, dispersed within an area of about 28 km x 0.65 km.