Blunt-headed salamander

Species of amphibian

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. It inhabits a landscape consisting of a mosaic of natural grasslands and pine oak forests at elevations of about asl. Breeding takes place in ponds. Adult females of the species range from 42 93 mm and males range from 45.4 70.5 mm in standard length. 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.

The blunt headed salamander is currently listed as critically endangered by the IUCN. The Mexican government officially protects the blunt headed salamander and the species maintains a special protection status in the country. Along with many other species of amphibians, they are at risk of habitat loss, habitat fragmentation, pollution, and predation. The habitat risks are mainly due to new development and logging practices. The primary threat of this species is the loss of ponds necessary for breeding due to agricultural expansion. Along with agricultural expansion, they also face the risk of pesticides impacting water quality. There is also risk of poaching by local individuals. It is believed that some individuals consume these salamanders.