Rodolfo PŽrez-Rodr’guez’s scientific contributions

Lake Pátzcuaro (Michoacán, Mexico) has been subject to a dramatic decline of native species and a decrease in environmental functionality due to a variety of anthropogenic pressures. The local economy depends on the success of the fishing industry, tourism activities, and craft manufacturing. Most of these activities are undertake by native Mexican people belonging to the Purépecha community, a pre-Hispanic culture whose livelihoods and worldview are closely tied to the Lake. One species that is particularly important in purépecha culture is the Achoque (Ambystoma dumerilii), a neotenic salamander endemic to Lake Pátzcuaro, classified as critically endangered by the IUCN. Over the last decade conservationists, scientists, and local breeders of this species have united to conserve the Achoque and restore its traditional cultural importance. Making up this group are scientists from Michoacán University, Center for Aquaculture and Fisheries Research, Sisters of the Monastery of the Dominican Order, local Achoque breeders, and international Zoos. Together this team generated a project which aims to use ecological, biological, and social science techniques to manage the Achoque. Preliminary results suggest that the population of Achoque is as low as 50-70 mature individuals, with a peak of reproduction in winter in the deepest area of the lake (north central area). As part of this project local communities have participated in breeding this species with semi-technical implementations as a pilot project for potential future conservation translocations. Through the education program local children (age 5-18 years) are now aware of the existence of Achoques where they weren’t before.

Lake Pátzcuaro (Michoacán, Mexico) has been subject to a dramatic decline of native species and a decrease in environmental functionality due to a variety of anthropogenic pressures. The local economy of Lake Pátzcuaro depends on the success of the fishing industry, tourism activities, and craft manufacturing. Most of these activities are undertake by native Mexican people belonging to the Purépecha community, a pre-Hispanic culture whose livelihoods and worldview are closely tied to the Lake. One species that is particularly important in purépecha culture is the Achoque (Ambystoma dumerilii), a neotenic salamander endemic to Lake Pátzcuaro , classified as critically endangered by the IUCN. Over the last decade Conservationists, scientists, and local breeders of this species have united to conserve the Achoque and restore its traditional cultural importance. Making up this group are scientist from Michoacán University (Morelia, Mexico) and Center for Aquaculture and Fisheries Research (Spanish acronym, CRIP), Sisters of the Monastery of the Dominican Order from the town of Pátzcuaro (México), local achoque farms (e.g. Xarantani Farm), and international Zoos (Chester Zoo, UK). Together this team generated a project which aims to use ecological, biological, and social science techniques to manage the Achoque. Our preliminary results suggest that the population of Achoque in Lake Pátzcuaro is as low as 50-70 mature individuals, with a peak of reproduction in winter in the deepest area of the lake (north central area). As part of this project local communities have participated in breeding this species with semi-technical implementations as a pilot project for potential future conservation translocations. Through the education program local children (age 5-18 years) are now aware of the existence of Achoques where they weren’t before.