This species is not strictly a spring dweller, occurring in the fourth largest spring in Texas and deep within the aquifer that feeds it (Devitt and Nissen 2018, McDermid et al. 2015, Bendik et al. 2013, Bendik et al. 2021). It inhabits spring outlets impounded/retained by concrete structures. At the surface, individuals are usually found under rocks or in gravel in about 0.1-5m of water, and can also take refuge among aquatic vascular plants, vegetative debris, and algae when such habitat is available (Chippindale et al. 1993). Spring habitat flows throughout the year and maintains a fairly constant temperature of 20 degrees Celsius. This species is completely aquatic and does not metamorphose. Breeding is unknown in the wild but egg deposition likely occurs in subterranean habitat (Bendik and Dries 2018, Bendik et al. 2021). Captive breeding has been achieved at the Dallas Aquarium, the San Marcos Aquatic Resources Center and the City of Austin Salamander Conservation facility. Females appear to deposit the eggs randomly on cobble, gravel, aquatic macrophytes, and the glass sides and bottom of the aquaria (L. Ables, D. Chamberlain pers. comm. 2003). This species is paedomorphic, which may limit dispersal and gene flow between subpopulations (Niemiller et al. in press).

This species can be found in Barton Springs, Edwards Aquifer, Austin, and Travis County, Texas, USA. It occurs in four hydrologically connected spring outlets (see Chippindale et al. [1993] for further details). Barton Springs is fed by the Barton Springs segment of the Edwards Aquifer, and this segment occurs in portions of Blanco, Hays, and Travis counties. Occurrences have been recorded in Travis and Hays counties (Devitt and Nissen 2018). Its extent of occurrence (EOO) is 1,190 km², and it is considered to occur within a single threat-defined location as the entirety of the species' range is contained within a single watershed, which is subject to contamination and depletion.

Conservation Actions In-Place
This species occurs at its highest known abundances at Barton Springs in Zilker Park, which is owned and operated by the City of Austin. This area is managed as a park and pool. Various agencies of the state of Texas have committed to expedite developing and implementing conservation measures needed for the species and the Barton Springs segment of the Edwards Aquifer, as set forth in the "Barton Springs Salamander Conservation Agreement and Strategy," signed 13 August 1996 (see Federal Register 61(172):46608-46616, 4 September 1996, for details). The City of Austin has established a captive breeding program for this species. This species is listed as Endangered by both the state of Texas and 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
Preservation of the water quality and water quantity of the Barton Springs segment of the Edwards Aquifer is the best guarantee for the conservation of this species.

Research Needed
Further research on this species' distribution, population size and trends is recommended.