From forests to fields: habitat-driven decline of a microendemic endangered salamander

Aquiloeurycea quetzalanensis is an endemic salamander found in the tropical montane cloud forest remnants of the Northeast Sierra of Puebla, México. It is classified as Critically Endangered by the IUCN due to habitat degradation. Information about this amphibian is limited, and the species lacks government protection. The aim of this study was to estimate its abundance and distinguish which environmental predictors affect its abundance. We performed a stratified sampling detection and recorded environmental variables of the surrounding area. We estimated the species population size within the survey area to be 126 individuals, from August 2021 – August 2022. Densities were mainly driven by habitat type: 0.2 salamanders/m2 were found in old-growth tropical montane cloud forest, while 0.001 individuals/m2 were found in croplands, and none in cattle ranching pastures. The Cuetzalan salamander is commonly found in preserved forest areas and is less tolerant of disturbed habitats. Conservation strategies of A. quetzalanensis need to protect the remaining patches of tropical montane cloud forest in the Northeast Sierra of Puebla, México. Keywords: animals, Caudata, habitat degradation, lungless salamanders, Plethodontidae