Eurycea neotenes

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Texas Salamander
Conservation status
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Caudata
Family: Plethodontidae
Genus: Eurycea
Species: E. neotenes
Binomial name
Eurycea neotenes
Bishop & Wright, 1937

The Texas Salamander (Eurycea neotenes) is a species of entirely aquatic, lungless salamander native to the United States. It is endemic to central Texas, near Helotes, in Bexar County. Some sources refer to it as the Bexar County Salamander or the Edwards Plateau Salamander.

[edit] Description

The Texas Salamander grows from 2 to 4 inches in length. It is brown in color, often with yellow or brown mottling, with light yellow spotting down its back. It is neotenic, with a slender body, short limbs, and bright red external gills.

[edit] References

  • Chippindale, P.T., A.H. Price, Wiens, J.J. & Hillis, D.M. (2000): Phylogenetic relationships of central Texas hemidactyliine plethodontid salamanders, genus Eurycea, and a taxonomic revision of the group. Herpetological Monographs 14: 1-80.
  • Hillis, D.M., Chamberlain, D.A., Wilcox, T.P., & Chippindale, P.T. (2001): A new species of subterranean blind salamander (Plethodontidae: Hemidactyliini: Eurycea: Typhlomolge) from Austin, Texas, and a systematic revision of central Texas paedomorphic salamanders. Herpetologica 57: 266-280.
  • Herps of Texas: Eurycea neotenes
  • Amphibian Species of the World: Eurycea neotenes
  • IUCN Red List: Eurycea neotenes