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Ambystoma mavortium mavortium
Averages 3 to 6 1/2 inches in length. Yellow to dark olive spots on its back, averages 32 in number, that may be irregular and extend between their fore and hind limbs.
Found 4-5 individuals in tall, thick weeds next to our dumpster. The ground layer of vegetation was composting, providing a very humid environment.
Spotted on Aug 10, 2015
Submitted on Aug 11, 2015
4 Comments
You are probably right. There really isn't any "barring" on these guys, but the spotting on the Arizonas seem a little fuzzier around the edges of the spots than the barred's spots.
The pattern varies by individual, trying to match pattern isn't going to work. Here's another link that shows that subspecies is not where you found this salamander at: http://www.californiaherps.com/noncal/so...
According to the Audubon Field Guide and the NM Dept of Fish and Game A. m. nebulosum is found in NM.
The pattern doesn't match any versions of mavortium I've seen, but I'm still looking.
If you feel the need to go down to subspecies, then the correct subspecies is A. m. mavortium. It is the only subspecies found in NM, http://nmherpsociety.org/amphibians/amby...