Eurycea sosorum

(Chippindale, Price & Hillis, 1993)

Vernacular names
English : Barton springs salamander
French : Salamandre de Barton Springs

Classification
Class : Amphibia
Order : Caudata
Family : Plethodontidae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification
Adults can reach a length of 7 cm. Head is flattened and broad with a nearly square snout. Vestigial eyes and apparent bright red external gills. Coloration varies from beige to dark violet-red. Tail is laterally flattened and finned.

Range and habitat
The species occurs in south-central USA and is only found in the state of Texas, in Barton Springs and Edwards Aquifer, near Austin. Lives in non subterranean waters, mostly in spring outlets, around rocky bottom.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : ENDANGERED
CITES : Not listed
Status : The species is only known from a single location and it is believed that less than 1000 wild specimens remain. Very sensitive to water quality.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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