Blunt-headed_salamander
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.[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]
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.[5]