Certainly, the presence and actions of other species can have an impact on Mexican salamanders, by way of direct interactions, indirect ecological effects, or both. Here are a few examples:
Predators: Various birds, mammals, reptiles, and even other amphibians can prey on Mexican salamanders, which puts pressure on their populations.
Competition for Resources: Other amphibians, fish, and even insects that Mexican salamanders share their habitats with could compete for the same food resources, like insects and small aquatic organisms.
Parasites: Parasitic infections can greatly affect Mexican salamanders' health, immune systems, and survival rates. Parasites might include various types of worms or protozoans.
Invasive Species: Non-native species introduced into the ecosystem can have substantial impacts. For example, certain introduced fish have been known to eat axolotls and compete with them for food in urban ponds.
Human Impacts: While not a species themselves, the activities of humans (e.g., causing habitat degradation, pollution, etc.) have broad implications for all species, including Mexican salamanders.
Disease: Disease can spread rapidly through salamander populations due to their sensitive and permeable skin, affecting the overall health and longevity of individuals.
Symbiotic Interactions: Despite negative influences, there may be symbiotic relationships, such as mycorrhizal associations or specializations with predators and prey that co-evolve alongside salamanders, contributing to ecological complexity and balance.
Mutualism with Prey Species: Salamanders play the role of predators in their ecosystems, which can influence prey species dynamics. Their presence can thus impact the structure of aquatic communities where they exist.
In some instances, these interactions might also contribute to the uniqueness of these salamanders, such as with their ability to secrete toxins or the way neotenic characteristics, like external gills, persist into adulthood. As top predators, Mexican salamanders also maintain an important place in their aquatic ecosystems and contribute to biodiveristy and ecological services. Thus, their populations need to be safeguarded against negative impacts from human activity and invasive species.