Anderson's Salamander
CR

Anderson's Salamander

Ambystoma andersoni

Declining

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anderson's_salamander

Overview

Anderson's salamander is a neotenic salamander from Zacapu Lagoon in the Mexican state of Michoacán.

Anderson's Salamander faces severe pressure from the drainage and diversion of water in the Zacapu wetland system, which has shrunk and fragmented its already limited habitat. Agricultural runoff and pollution have degraded water quality in the remaining aquatic habitat, while introduced predatory fish species prey on eggs and larvae. Because the species is restricted to a single lake system, any localized disturbance disproportionately threatens the entire global population.

Threat summary

Habitat

Anderson's salamander inhabits pristine high-altitude lakes in Mexico's volcanic mountain ranges, specifically requiring cold, well-oxygenated waters with temperatures rarely exceeding 15°C and abundant aquatic vegetation. These isolated lake systems are characterized by rocky substrates, clear water with high dissolved oxygen levels, and minimal human disturbance, creating the specialized conditions necessary for this neotenic species' survival.

Wetlands (inland) - Permanent freshwater lakes· major

Conservation measures underway

Site/area protectionHabitat & natural process restorationSpecies managementSpecies recovery

Other threatened species in AMBYSTOMATIDAE

Frosted Flatwoods SalamanderEN

Frosted Flatwoods Salamander

Ambystoma cingulatum

Declining
EN

Michoacan Stream Salamander

Ambystoma ordinarium

Declining
Lake Patzcuaro SalamanderCR

Lake Patzcuaro Salamander

Ambystoma dumerilii

Declining
Mountain Stream SiredonEN

Mountain Stream Siredon

Ambystoma altamirani

Declining

Threatened in Mexico

EN

Turbinicarpus horripilus

Declining
CR

Turbinicarpus mandragora

Declining
EN

Opuntia pachyrrhiza

Declining
EN

Arachnothryx tacanensis

Declining

Frequently asked questions

Why is Anderson's Salamander classified as Critically Endangered?
Anderson's Salamander is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. Anderson's Salamander faces severe pressure from the drainage and diversion of water in the Zacapu wetland system, which has shrunk and fragmented its already limited habitat. Agricultural runoff and pollution have degraded water quality in the remaining aquatic habitat, while introduced predatory fish species prey on eggs and larvae. Because the species is restricted to a single lake system, any localized disturbance disproportionately threatens the entire global population.
Where does Anderson's Salamander live?
Anderson's Salamander occurs in Mexico. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Anderson's Salamander?
The main threats to Anderson's Salamander are 2.1, 8.1, and 9.3.4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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