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| Subspecies: | Unknown |
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| Est. World Population: | |
| CITES Status: | NOT LISTED |
| IUCN Status: | Endangered |
| 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 occurs in springs in limestones, under rocks and leaves, and in gravel substrate. It is completely aquatic and does not metamorphose. Breeding habits are unknown in the wild, but closely related species are thought to deposit eggs in gravel substrates. Bogart (1967) described courtship and oviposition in this species; in the laboratory, eggs were deposited on a variety of substrates. This species is paedomorphic, which may limit dispersal and gene flow between subpopulations (Niemiller et al. in press).
Range:
This species was formerly thought to be a wide-ranging species (Sweet 1984), however genetic data has indicated that it is restricted to Helotes Creek Spring (Bexar County), Leon Springs (Bexar County), and Mueller's Spring (Kendall County), in the Edwards Plateau region of central Texas, USA (Chippindale et al. 2000). Its distribution now includes the Cibolo, Guadalupe, and Blanco river watersheds (within the Trinity Aquifer) as well as several occurrences along the southeastern edge of the Edwards Plateau (Edwards Aquifer) (Bendik et al. 2013). Its extent of occurrence (EOO) is 995 km2, and it is thought to occur in three threat-defined locations, as the range encompasses three watersheds that are all experiencing varying degrees of pressure for groundwater use.
Conservation:
Conservation Actions In-Place
Several documented occurrences are within protected areas (NatureServe 2021). This species is currently under review for listing under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).
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
Expansion of effective wetland preservation and continued management of existing protected areas is essential for the conservation of this species.
Research Needed
More information is needed on this species' distribution, population status, ecology, and threats.
Several documented occurrences are within protected areas (NatureServe 2021). This species is currently under review for listing under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).
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
Expansion of effective wetland preservation and continued management of existing protected areas is essential for the conservation of this species.
Research Needed
More information is needed on this species' distribution, population status, ecology, and threats.