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Post by sebbe67 on Apr 2, 2005 18:53:33 GMT
Ambystoma leorae
Salamander from Mexico, It has not been found at the type locality for over 30 years, since this area is extremely polluted from the town of Rio Frio. There appears not to have been any reports of this species for the last 20 years, probably because of lack of herpetological work within its range. It was relatively easy to find in its tiny range when it was last looked for.
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Post by another specialist on Nov 18, 2005 8:57:59 GMT
Synonymy Rhyacosiredon leorae Taylor, 1943, Univ. Kansas Sci. Bull., 29: 345. Holotype: EHT-HMS 22560, by original designation; now FMNH 100041 according to Marx, 1976, Fieldiana, Zool., 69: 41. Type locality: "mountain stream near Río Frío, México, either in the state of Puebla or México (Balsas River drainage system)", Mexico. Ambystoma leorae — Brandon, 1989, In Armstrong and Malacinski (eds.), Developmental Biol. Axolotl: 18. Smith and Smith, 1993, Synops. Herpetofauna Mex., 7, :11 ; by implication; Reilly and Brandon, 1994, Copeia, 1994: 656-662. English Names Leora’s Stream Siredon (Liner, 1994, Herpetol. Circ., 23: 9; Frank and Ramus, 1995, Compl. Guide Scient. Common Names Amph. Rept. World, : 27). Distribution Area of the type locality near the border of the states of México and Puebla, Mexico. research.amnh.org/herpetology/amphibia/references.php?id=20933 |
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Post by another specialist on Nov 18, 2005 9:00:44 GMT
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Post by another specialist on Nov 18, 2005 9:03:09 GMT
Taxonomic Comments: The species was previously included in the genus Rhyacosiredon. Based on unpublished allozyme and mtDNA sequence data, it is a well-defined taxon distinct from Ambystoma (Rhyacosiredon) altimirani (H.B. Shaffer pers. comm.). IUCN Red List Category Rationale: Listed as Critically Endangered because its Extent of Occurrence is less than 100 km2 and its Area Of Occupancy is less than 10km2, all individuals are in a single sub-population, and there is continuing decline in the number of mature individuals and in the extent and quality of its habitat around Rio Frio. Habitat This species needs the presence of shallow water in streams and humid pine forest areas. It breeds in streams. One breeding site is in a stream next to a major road. It metamorphoses, but the adults stay in the water. Population Status There appears not to have been any reports of this species for the last 20 years, probably because of lack of herpetological work within its range. It was relatively easy to find in its tiny range when it was last looked for. www.natureserve.org/infonatura/servlet/InfoNatura?searchName=Ambystoma+leorae |
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Post by sebbe67 on Jun 3, 2007 0:19:37 GMT
In June, 2006 a friend and I looked for this species in Río Frío to no avail. Not only could we not find any streams, but the streambeds we found were dry and filled to the brim with trash and human waste. This is one of the most disturbed sites I have seen in my travels throughout Mexico. www.mexico-herps.com/caudata/ambystoma/ambystoma-leorae |
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Post by another specialist on Jun 3, 2007 7:19:22 GMT
In June, 2006 a friend and I looked for this species in Río Frío to no avail. Not only could we not find any streams, but the streambeds we found were dry and filled to the brim with trash and human waste. This is one of the most disturbed sites I have seen in my travels throughout Mexico. www.mexico-herps.com/caudata/ambystoma/ambystoma-leorae Ambystoma leorae LEORA’S STREAM SALAMANDER Ambystoma leorae - Taylor 1943 IDENTIFICATION: DISTRIBUTION: Ambystoma leorae is known only from the high mountains in the vicinity of the town of Río Frío, on the México/Puebla border. The elevational distribution of this species is approximately 3,000m. HABITAT: This species inhabits high-elevation, humid pine forests. It is found within or immediately adjacent to streams within forest with an existing canopy. NATURAL HISTORY: Little is known regarding the habits of this species, but both adults and larvae are found in small forest streams. Paedomorphic specimens are known but what percentage of the population they represent is unknown. TAXONOMY: This is a distinct species of Ambystoma, both morphologically and genetically. TYPE: Described as Rhyacosiredon leorae by Taylor (1943). Holotype: FMNH 100041. Type locality: “mountain stream near Río Frío, México, either in the state of Puebla or México (Balsas River drainage system)”, Mexico. PERSONAL NOTES: In June, 2006 a friend and I looked for this species in Río Frío to no avail. Not only could we not find any streams, but the streambeds we found were dry and filled to the brim with trash and human waste. This is one of the most disturbed sites I have seen in my travels throughout Mexico. CONSERVATION STATUS: IUCN Red List Status for Ambystoma leorae is currently listed as “Critically Endangered” due to its highly fragmented distribution, local population decline and extinction, and the continued degradation and desiccation of the streams within its small natural range. A. leorae is afforded Special Protection status by the Mexican Government and it occurs within the Parque Nacional Río Frío, but this area is severely disturbed (see Personal Notes above) and this species has not been seen at its type locality in over 30 years. As of 1983 it still ocurred at two sites 9 and 15 kilometers northeast of Río Frío, but no subsequent surveys have been executed to determine the status of these populations. REFERENCES: Reilly, S.M. and Brandon, R.A. 1994. Partial Paedomorphosis in the Mexican Stream Salamanders and the Taxonomic Status of the Genus Rhyacosiredon. Copeia, 1994:656-662. Shaffer, H.B. 1984. Evolution in a Paedomorphic Lineage. I. An Electrophoretic Analysis of the Mexican Ambystomatid Salamanders. Evolution, 38:1194-1206. |
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Post by another specialist on Jun 3, 2007 7:24:35 GMT
Red List Category: Critically Endangered (CR) Red List Criteria: B1ab(iii,v)+2ab(iii,v) Red List Category Rationale: Listed as Critically Endangered because its Extent of Occurrence is less than 100 km2 and its Area Of Occupancy is less than 10km2, all individuals are in a single sub-population, and there is continuing decline in the number of mature individuals and in the extent and quality of its habitat around Rio Frio. Date of Assessment: 29 Jan 2004 Red List Assessor(s): Brad Shaffer, Gabriela Parra Olea, David Wake Red List Evaluator(s): Global Amphibian Assessment Coordinating Team (Simon Stuart, Janice Chanson, Neil Cox and Bruce Young) Population Trend: Decreasing Geographic Range Range Comments: This species is known only from around Río Frio town, in the State of Mexico close to the borderline with Puebla, in central Mexico, at around 3,000m asl. It has not been found at the type locality for over 30 years, since this area is extremely polluted from the town of Río Frio. However, in 1983 it was still found in three sites in small streams at 9 and 15 km to the north-east of Rio Frio. Biogeographic Realm(s): Neotropical Distribution Status: Native Mexico Population Formerly relatively common, there appears not to have been any reports of this species for the last 20 years, probably because of the lack of herpetological work within its range. Habitat and Ecology This species requires the presence of shallow water in streams and humid pine forest areas for breeding; one breeding site is in a stream next to a major road. It metamorphoses, but the adults stay in the water. Biomes: Terrestrial, Freshwater Habitats: (See complete standardized list of habitats) Forest - Subtropical/Tropical Moist Montane Wetlands (inland) - Permanent Rivers/Streams/Creeks (includes waterfalls) Major Threats The pollution and desiccation of the breeding streams in the vicinity of Río Frio town, as well as the clearance of pine forests (for grazing and other economic activities), are the major threats to this species. It is probably caught locally for food, and introduced predatory fish are also a threat. Conservation Measures It occurs in the Parque Nacional Río Frio, but there is huge recreational disturbance in this protected area, including forest clearance. Forest and stream restoration, and the protection of key sites around Río Frio, are the key priority. Captive breeding is very difficult for coldwater-adapted Ambystoma species, although it is possible, and should be considered. This species is protected under the category Pr (Special protection) by the Government of Mexico. www.globalamphibians.org/servlet/GAA?searchName=Ambystoma+leorae |
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Post by Melanie on May 13, 2012 20:52:55 GMT
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Post by Melanie on May 13, 2012 20:56:49 GMT
The species was formerly in the genus Rhyacosiredon. Ambystoma leorae is not included in Highton's list. Similar to A. rivulare, A. leorae is bigger. 20.7 cm. Metamorphosis occurs. It is a very aquatic species, reproducing in stenotrophic streams like A. altamirani and A. rivulare. It has a long tail, and has a larger head that is shorter than that of A. rivulare. It exhibits short limbs but long fingers and toes. The dorsal and lateral sides are greenish with very distinguishable dark brown spots, and ventral< parts cream-are colored. Habitat & Range: The species is located in a mountain stream near Rio Frio, Mexico, not far from Puebla, at an altitude of about 3000 m, in pine forests. It has not been seen in the type-locality, which is much altered because of the activity of the city of Rio Frio. The species is probably in several streams upstream of the Rio Balsas, that was created by snow and glacier melting, notably from the Popocatepetl and Iztaccihuatl Volcanoes. It was rediscovered in 1983 in three stations in small streams 9 km and 15 km northeast of Rio Frio. 35 km2. Conservation: A. leorae is Critically endangered. The national park of Rio Frio is very weakly protected (recreational activities, deforestation). amphibiaweb.org/cgi-bin/amphib_query?query_src=aw_lists_genera_&table=amphib&where-genus=Ambystoma&where-species=leorae |
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Post by Deleted on May 14, 2012 7:09:11 GMT
Thank You so much for finding this picture!  |
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Post by Sebbe on Oct 26, 2014 12:23:38 GMT
A new and relict population was recently discovered in Iztaccihuatl-Popocatepetl National Park.
Microhabitat Types Promote the Genetic Structure of a Micro-Endemic and Critically Endangered Mole Salamander (Ambystoma leorae) of Central MexicoThe reduced immigration and emigration rates resulting from the lack of landscape connectivity of patches and the hospitality of the intervening matrix could favor the loss of alleles through genetic drift and an increased chance of inbreeding. In order for isolated populations to maintain sufficient levels of genetic diversity and adapt to environmental changes, one important conservation goal must be to preserve or reestablish connectivity among patches in a fragmented landscape. We studied the last known population of Ambystoma leorae, an endemic and critically threatened species. The aims of this study were: (1) to assess the demographic parameters of A. leorae and to distinguish and characterize the microhabitats in the river, (2) to determine the number of existing genetic groups or demes of A. leorae and to describe possible relationships between microhabitats types and demes, (3) to determine gene flow between demes, and (4) to search for geographic locations of genetic discontinuities that limit gene flow between demes. We found three types of microhabitats and three genetically differentiated subpopulations with a significant level of genetic structure. In addition, we found slight genetic barriers. Our results suggest that mole salamander’s species are very sensitive to microhabitat features and relatively narrow obstacles in their path. The estimates of bidirectional gene flow are consistent with the pattern of a stepping stone model between demes, where migration occurs between adjacent demes, but there is low gene flow between distant demes. We can also conclude that there is a positive correlation between microhabitats and genetic structure in this population. www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0103595 |
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Post by Melanie on Oct 26, 2014 13:21:08 GMT
Rediscovered in 2004, but it's a pity that there is no published photo of a specimen.
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Post by Sebbe on Oct 26, 2014 13:30:08 GMT
Genetic diversity and structure of an endemic and critically endangered stream river salamander (Caudata: Ambystoma leorae) in MexicoSmall or isolated populations are highly susceptible to stochastic events. They are prone and vulnerable to random demographic or environmental fluctuations that could lead to extinction due to the loss of alleles through genetic drift and increased inbreeding. We studied Ambystoma leorae an endemic and critically threatened species. We analyzed the genetic diversity and structure, effective population size, presence of bottlenecks and inbreeding coefficient of 96 individuals based on nine microsatellite loci. We found high levels of genetic diversity expressed as heterozygosity (Ho = 0.804, He = 0.613, He* = 0.626 and HNei = 0.622). The population presents few alleles (4–9 per locus) and genotypes (3–14 per locus) compared with other mole salamanders species. We identified three genetically differentiated subpopulations with a significant level of genetic structure (FST = 0.021, RST = 0.044 y Dest = 0.010, 95 % CI). We also detected a reduction signal in population size and evidence of a genetic bottleneck (M = 0.367). The effective population size is small (Ne = 45.2), but similar to another mole salamanders with restricted distributions or with recently fragmented habitat. The inbreeding coefficient levels detected are low (FIS = −0.619–0.102) as is gene flow. Despite, high levels of genetic diversity A. leorae is critically endangered because it is a small isolated population. link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10592-013-0520-9
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Post by Sebbe on Oct 26, 2014 13:32:42 GMT
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Post by Sebbe on Apr 10, 2017 11:43:22 GMT
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Post by Sebbe on Jul 4, 2017 20:58:52 GMT
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