The following account is modified from Amphibian Declines: The Conservation Status of United States Species, edited by Michael Lannoo (©2005 by the Regents of the University of California), used with permission of University of California Press. The book is available from UC Press.

Eurycea waterlooensis Hillis, Chamberlain, Wilcox and Chippindale, 2001
            Austin Blind Salamander

Paul T. Chippindale¹

1. Historical versus Current Distribution.  Austin blind salamanders (Eurycea waterlooensis) are a newly discovered species known only from the outflows of Barton Springs in the city of Austin, Travis County, Texas.  A formal description is given in Hillis et al. (2001).  This subterranean species is most closely related to Texas blind salamanders (Eurycea [formerly Typhlomolge] rathbuni) and Blanco blind salamanders (Eurycea [formerly Typhlomolge] robusta); both species occur in or near San Marcos, Hays County, Texas (Hillis et al., 2001).  Only a few specimens are available, and Austin blind salamanders are much more rarely encountered than Barton Springs salamanders (E. sosorum), which occur on the surface at Barton Springs.

2. Historical versus Current Abundance.  Unknown.

3. Life History Features.

            A. Breeding.

                        i. Breeding migrations.  Unknown.

                        ii. Breeding habitat.  Unknown.

            B. Eggs.

                        i. Egg deposition sites.  Unknown.

                        ii. Clutch size.  Unknown.

            C. Larvae/Metamorphosis.  This species is paedomorphic, and natural metamorphosis is unknown.  Several specimens obtained as juveniles grew in captivity from about 15–60 mm TL in 8 mo, at which time they were presumed to be sexually mature (Hillis et al., 2001).

            D. Juvenile Habitat.  Probably similar to those of adults.

            E. Adult Habitat.  Completely aquatic.  Austin blind salamanders are known only from spring outflows (juveniles that probably washed out accidentally); this species almost certainly is a cave dweller.  Water temperature in the Barton Springs Aquifer is relatively constant at about 20 ˚C.  Sweet (1982) provided a comprehensive distributional analysis of the central Texas Eurycea and discussed hydrogeology of the region in relation to salamander distribution.

            F. Home Range Size.  Unknown.

            G. Territories.  Unknown.

            H. Aestivation/Avoiding Dessication.  Unknown.

            I. Seasonal Migrations.  Unlikely to occur.

            J. Torpor (Hibernation).  Probably active throughout the year.

            K. Interspecific Associations/Exclusions.  Partially sympatric with Barton Springs salamanders. 

            L. Age/Size at Reproductive Maturity.  Unknown, but based on growth patterns for captive specimens, this species probably matures at about 60 mm total length.  The largest known specimen (maintained alive by the City of Austin) had a total length of about 79 mm in July 2000.  The largest known preserved specimen is 35.6 mm SVL with a total length of 66.6 mm (2 mm of tail tip missing).

            M. Longevity.  Unknown.

            N. Feeding Behavior.  Prey probably consists mainly of aquatic invertebrates, but no feeding studies of this species have been conducted. 

            O. Predators.  Unknown.

            P. Anti-Predator Mechanisms.  Unknown.

            Q. Diseases.  Unknown.

            R. Parasites.  Unknown.

¹Paul T. Chippindale
Department of Biology
The University of Texas at Arlington
Arlington, Texas 76019
paulc@uta.edu

Citation: AmphibiaWeb. 2025. <https://amphibiaweb.org> University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA. Accessed 12 May 2025.

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