Lake Patzcuaro Salamander (Ambystoma dumerilii)

Mohamed bin Zayed Species project number 182518929

Evaluating populations of the achoque (Ambystomatidae: Ambystoma dumerilii) in Lake Pátzcuaro for the recovery of local management and fisheries

The present proposal aims to monitor water conditions in Lake Pátzcuaro at spatial scale, and determine the occurrence and abundance of A. dumerilii obtaining data in situ in collaboration with fishermen. The data obtained will generate the baseline to analyze and elucidate the environmental conditions and dynamics of this aquatic ecosystem, and its relation with the population structure of this amphibian. By the other hand, this proposal will evaluate the actual knowledge of the conditions of Lake Pátzcuaro and the ecological status of A. dumerilii in different social sectors at local scale, and elucidate potential interest of recovering this species including cultural, alimentary and medicinal issues. Also, the proposal aims to transmit the information generated at local and regional scale to different social sectors (e.g. schools at different educative level, governmental entities) through workshops and lectures in order to promote and establish long-term conservation actions, using A. dumerilii as the central axis for conserving Lake Pátzcuaro.