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| Subspecies: | Unknown |
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| Est. World Population: | |
| CITES Status: | NOT LISTED |
| IUCN Status: | Critically 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 is known to inhabit subterranean caves and various types of wells (including artesian, hand-dug, and bored) (A. Gluesenkamp pers. comm. July 2021). Individuals have been observed climbing rock surfaces or swimming in open water. This species is completely aquatic and does not metamorphose. Breeding habits are unknown in nature; however, this species has bred on several occasions in captivity, including at the Dallas Aquarium at Fair Park, Cincinnati Zoo, Aquarena Centre (San Marcos), and San Marcos National Fish Hatchery and Technology Centre (L. Ables pers. comm. 2003) as well as the San Antonio Zoo, Audubon Zoo, National Aquarium (A. Gluesenkamp pers. comm. July 2021).
Range:
This species can be found in San Marcos Pool of the Edwards Aquifer, Hays County, south-central Texas, USA at an elevation of approximately 188 m asl (Chippindale et al. 2000, Green et al. 2014). It is unlikely to range beyond this region. Its extent of occurrence (EOO) is 60 km2.
Conservation:
Conservation Actions In-Place
The San Marcos River System is protected, and this species is listed as Endangered at both the state and federal level (Amphibiaweb 2021). Captive breeding programmes have been established and captive populations are currently held at the Audubon Zoo in Louisiana, the Detroit Zoological Zoo in Michigan, the Sedgewick County Zoo in Kansas, the Milwaukee Zoo in Wisconsin, and in three zoos in Texas: the Dallas Zoo, the Houston Zoological Gardens, and the San Antonio Zoological Gardens (USFWS 2021).
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. 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. There is a need for monitoring the population status and habitat of this species given the ongoing threats and declines.
The San Marcos River System is protected, and this species is listed as Endangered at both the state and federal level (Amphibiaweb 2021). Captive breeding programmes have been established and captive populations are currently held at the Audubon Zoo in Louisiana, the Detroit Zoological Zoo in Michigan, the Sedgewick County Zoo in Kansas, the Milwaukee Zoo in Wisconsin, and in three zoos in Texas: the Dallas Zoo, the Houston Zoological Gardens, and the San Antonio Zoological Gardens (USFWS 2021).
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. 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. There is a need for monitoring the population status and habitat of this species given the ongoing threats and declines.