Nongame and Rare Species Program:
Federal Candidate and Petitioned Species Resources
Salado Salamander
Eurycea chisholmensis
The Salado salamander (Eurycea chisholmensis) is a federal candidate for listing under the Endangered Species Act. It has an extremely small geographic distribution, known to occur only in Bell County in springs emanating from Edwards limestone on the southern side of the Salado Creek. 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
- Salado 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