Nongame and Rare Species Program:
Federal Candidate and Petitioned Species Resources
Georgetown Salamander
Eurycea naufragia
The Georgetown salamander (Eurycea naufragia) is a federal candidate for listing under the Endangered Species Act. This species is known from springs and caves around the City of Georgetown in Williamson County, approximately 17 sites in the San Gabriel watershed although it may have been extirpated from one site (San Gabriel Springs). Most populations are associated with surface springs and intact aquatic plant and invertebrate communities are necessary to provide adequate foraging habitat and prey base. This species, like other spring-dependent salamanders, faces threats from groundwater overuse, increased urbanization (i.e. impervious cover, wastewater, polluting untreated non-point source runoff) in recharge and contributing zones, site contamination, and poor watershed management practices (i.e. disturbance of riparian zones, livestock impacts, gravel and limestone mining, and ongoing disturbance of surface habitat).
Update:
January 25, 2013: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has reopened the public comment period on the August 22, 2012, proposed listing
and proposed designation of critical habitat for the Austin blind
salamander, Georgetown salamander, Jollyville Plateau salamander, and
Salado salamander. That agency has also completed a draft economic analysis of the proposed designation of critical habitat for the four salamander species. Deadline for comments is March 11, 2013. Details can be found at Regulations.gov.
Conservation and Management
- Georgetown Salamander Species Account | PDF
- Known Locations for Four Eurycea Species in Central Texas | PDF
- Eurycea References | PDF
- Salamander Proposed Listing FAQ and Information Document | PDF
- TPWD Response to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service | PDF