Austin blind salamander

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Austin blind salamander
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Urodela
Family: Plethodontidae
Genus: Eurycea
Species:
E. waterlooensis
Binomial name
Eurycea waterlooensis
Hillis, Chamberlain, Wilcox & Chippindale, 2001 [4]
Eurycea waterlooensis.png
Austin Blind Salamander range [5]

The Austin blind salamander (Eurycea waterlooensis) is an endangered species of salamander in the family Plethodontidae, endemic to Barton Springs in Austin, Texas, United States. [1] [6] Its name is derived from Waterloo, the original name of Austin.

Austin blind salamanders, typically juveniles, have been observed at spring outlets. However, probably most of the population lives in subterranean cavities, and its total abundance is unknown, but it seems much less abundant than the sympatric Barton Springs salamander (E. sosorum). [1]

It is a totally aquatic species that is paedomorphic (does not metamorphose). [1]

Related Research Articles

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The Barton Springs salamander is an endangered lungless salamander. It is endemic to Texas, United States. It was first found in Barton Springs in Austin, but is now also known from other localities in the nearby Travis and Hays Counties. Barton Springs is located within Zilker Park which is situated in the Edwards Aquifer in Austin, Texas. Eliza Springs, located within Barton Springs, has one of the largest populations of Barton Springs salamanders.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cave salamander</span> Cave-dwelling amphibian

A cave salamander is a type of salamander that primarily or exclusively inhabits caves, a group that includes several species. Some of these animals have developed special, even extreme, adaptations to their subterranean environments. Some species have only rudimentary eyes. Others lack pigmentation, rendering them a pale yellowish or pinkish color.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Geoffrey Hammerson (2004). "Eurycea waterlooensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2004: e.T59278A11896000. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2004.RLTS.T59278A11896000.en . Retrieved 16 November 2021.
  2. "Austin blind Salamander (Eurycea waterlooensis)". Environmental Conservation Online System. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
  3. 78 FR 5385
  4. Hillis, D.M., Chamberlain, D.A., Wilcox, T.P., & Chippindale, P.T. (2001): A new species of subterranean blind salamander (Plethodontidae: Hemidactyliini: Eurycea: Typhlomolge) from Austin, Texas, and a systematic revision of central Texas paedomorphic salamanders. Herpetologica57: 266-280
  5. U.S. Geological Survey (2017). "Austin Blind Salamander (Eurycea waterlooensis) aABSAx_CONUS_2001v1 Range Map". Gap Analysis Project. doi:10.5066/F7S46R49.
  6. Frost, Darrel R. (2014). "Eurycea waterlooensis Hillis, Chamberlain, Wilcox, and Chippindale, 2001". Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.0. American Museum of Natural History. Retrieved 14 February 2015.