Predation of Ambystoma altamirani (Caudata, Ambystomatidae) by Thamnophis scaliger (Squamata, Colubridae) and Crotalus triseriatus (Squamata, Viperidae) in Nevado de Toluca Volcano, Central Mexico

Abstract

This study reports two notable predation events involving Thamnophis scaliger (Jan 1863) and Crotalus triseriatus (Wagler 1830), which target Ambystoma altamirani (Dugès 1895), a critically endangered salamander species endemic to high-altitude streams in central Mexico. In the first event, T. scaliger was observed to capture and consume A. altamirani by removing the salamander from its aquatic habitat and consuming it on land – a behavior that underscores the adaptability of the snake to handling aquatic prey. In the second instance, C. triseriatus exhibited attempted predation in a montane stream, swimming in pursuit of the salamander but ultimately failing to capture it. These observations provide critical insights into predator–prey dynamics in montane ecosystems, highlighting the ecological pressures faced by A. altamirani. Furthermore, the documentation of these events expands our understanding of the feeding behaviors of T. scaliger and C. triseriatus, emphasizing their potential impact on vulnerable amphibian populations. This study underscores the necessity of further ecological research to assess the frequency and ecological consequences of such interactions, as well as their implications for the conservation of endangered amphibians in high-altitude habitats.