Nongame and Rare Species Program:
Federal Candidate and Petitioned Species Resources
Jollyville Plateau Salamander
Eurycea tonkawae
The Jollyville Plateau salamander (Eurycea tonkawae) is a federal candidate for listing under the Endangered Species Act. This species is known from springs and caves in northern Travis and southern Williamson counties, Texas. The Jollyville Plateau salamander is groundwater dependent although it can occupy a range of habitats associated with groundwater including underground streams, springs, spring runs, and riffles in spring-fed creeks within its range. 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
- Jollyville 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