In-stream movement of Ambystoma altamirani (Caudata: Ambystomatidae) from the Arroyo los Axolotes, Mexico
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.11606/issn.2316-9079.v24i1p57-65Keywords:
Amphibians, Downstream, Moviment patterns, Salamanders, UpstreamAbstract
Knowledge of the movements of amphibians can be useful in developing conservation strategies. We studied the movement of Ambystoma altamirani, a Mexican endemic salamander, in a montane stream near Mexico City, Mexico. We obtained movement estimates from 35 recaptured male, female, and juvenile salamanders. The majority of individuals moved during the study. Mean movements were > 250 m, with several individuals having movements > 500 m. Movements in A. altamirani did not have an upstream or downstream bias. Movement patterns (i.e., direction, mean distance, mean net displacement) did not differ among males, females, and juveniles. However, there was a tendency for the direction of net displacement to differ among males, females, and juveniles. Individuals that moved did not differ in snout–vent length (SVL) growth rate, initial SVL, or initial body mass (BM) from those that did not move; however, they showed greater BM change than those that did not move. We found that A. altamirani moved more than we had predicted. Our results suggest that maintaining aquatic and terrestrial conditions in the Arroyo los Axolotes to allow movements may be crucial in conserving this species.Downloads
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