Amblystoma velasci

Amblystoma velasci Dugès, 1888 c

There are three syntypes in the MADUG (HE 579–581, Figs 3 D, 4A–B); two are metamorphosed and one (HE 581) is a larva. Smith & Necker (1943) did not find any specimens of this salamander; therefore they referred to the original description in “La Naturaleza” by Velasco (1879:216), who called it Siredon Tigrina . Since that name had already been used for another species (Smith & Necker 1943), Dugès (1888c) gave it a new name honoring J. M. Velasco, who had described it in detail based on several specimens from Lago de Santa Isabel, near Villa de Guadalupe Hidalgo, Valley of Mexico (Ciudad de Mexico). The type locality no longer exists as it has been completely urbanized by the growth of Mexico City (Ezcurra et al. 2006). The specimens in the MADUG were apparently sent by Manuel M. Villada, who was the sole editor of “La Naturaleza” from 1870 to 1914 (Cuevas Cardona 2002) (notes taken from Notebook No. 2 in the MADUG, fide GEMC). The type locality referred to by Dugès (1888c) in his description is given as: “Laguna de Santa Isabel, en la Villa de Guadalupe y en los pueblos de Santa Isabel y Zacatengo” (the last town now called Zacatenco, Ciudad de Mexico).

Current valid name: Ambystoma velasci (Dugès, 1888) .