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| Subspecies: | Unknown |
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| Est. World Population: | |
| CITES Status: | NOT LISTED |
| IUCN Status: | Vulnerable |
| U.S. ESA Status: | NOT LISTED |
| Body Length: | |
| Tail Length: | |
| Shoulder Height: | |
| Weight: | |
| Top Speed: | |
| Jumping Ability: | (Horizontal) |
| Life Span: | in the Wild |
| Life Span: | in Captivity |
| Sexual Maturity: | (Females) |
| Sexual Maturity: | (Males) |
| Litter Size: | |
| Gestation Period: | |
Habitat:
This species is largely subterranean, and can be found in limestone springs and underwater caves. It is completely aquatic and does not metamorphose. This species is paedomorphic, which may limit dispersal and gene flow between subpopulations (Niemiller et al. 2022). Breeding habits are unknown, but it is presumably a larval developer like other species in the genus.
Range:
The Eurycea latitans complex includes subpopulations from Cascade Caverns, Bear Creek Spring, Cibolo Creek Spring, Kneedeep Cave Spring, Honey Creek Cave Spring, Less Ranch Spring, Cherry Creek Spring, Cloud Hollow Springs, and Rebecca Creek Spring, in Comal, Kerr, Kendall, and Hays counties, in the Edwards Plateau region of central Texas, USA. Records from the southeastern margin of the Edwards Plateau in the Cibolo Sinkhole Plain region of Comal, Bexar, and Kendall counties that were previously recognized as E. tridentifera are now assigned to this species (Devitt et al. 2019). The limits of this species' range are still being defined, and are particularly uncertain around contact zones (T. Devitt and D. Hillis pers. comm. June 2021). Further taxonomic work is needed to clarify the edges of this species' range. Its current extent of occurrence (EOO) is 9,687 km2, and it is thought to occur in seven threat-defined locations, as the range encompasses seven watersheds that are all experiencing varying degrees of pressure for groundwater use.
Conservation:
Conservation Actions In-Place
The species occurs in the Guadaloupe River State Park and Honey Creek State Natural Area. However, the Honey Creek State Natural Area is currently threatened by direct discharge permits and development upstream. It is listed as Threatened by the state of Texas, but has no special recognition by the Federal Government.
In an effort to prevent the introduction of Bsal into the US, an Interim Rule of the Lacey Act has been enacted that bans the importation of 201 species of salamanders (USFWS 2016). Additionally, a temporary voluntary trade moratorium of imports of Asian salamander species that are known to carry the disease until such time as effective testing and treatment regimens can be developed and distributed has been recommended to all exporters, shippers, sellers and buyers by the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (PIJAC). A North America Bsal Task Force has also been created, with working groups designed to address a variety of disease prevention and mitigation goals (North America Bsal Task Force 2021).
Conservation Needed
This species would likely benefit from improved habitat protection and management at sites where it is known to occur. Additionally, legislation and enforcement of legislation aimed at improving water quality are needed, as are improved water conservation efforts and campaigns.
Research Needed
More information is needed on this species' distribution, population status, ecology, and threats. Further taxonomic research is also needed to resolve this species' status.
The species occurs in the Guadaloupe River State Park and Honey Creek State Natural Area. However, the Honey Creek State Natural Area is currently threatened by direct discharge permits and development upstream. It is listed as Threatened by the state of Texas, but has no special recognition by the Federal Government.
In an effort to prevent the introduction of Bsal into the US, an Interim Rule of the Lacey Act has been enacted that bans the importation of 201 species of salamanders (USFWS 2016). Additionally, a temporary voluntary trade moratorium of imports of Asian salamander species that are known to carry the disease until such time as effective testing and treatment regimens can be developed and distributed has been recommended to all exporters, shippers, sellers and buyers by the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (PIJAC). A North America Bsal Task Force has also been created, with working groups designed to address a variety of disease prevention and mitigation goals (North America Bsal Task Force 2021).
Conservation Needed
This species would likely benefit from improved habitat protection and management at sites where it is known to occur. Additionally, legislation and enforcement of legislation aimed at improving water quality are needed, as are improved water conservation efforts and campaigns.
Research Needed
More information is needed on this species' distribution, population status, ecology, and threats. Further taxonomic research is also needed to resolve this species' status.