Austin Blind Salamander
Eurycea waterlooensis
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- E. waterlooensis – Travis Co, TX – photo from iNaturalist, Mathew Moskwik
DISTRIBUTION: In our region, Eurycea waterlooensis occurs only in the outflows of Barton Springs in the city of Austin, Travis County, Texas.
LEGAL STATUS: Eurycea waterlooensis is listed by the State of Texas as an Endangered Species.
MEANING OF SCIENTIFIC NAME: Eurycea waterlooensis (Hillis, Chamberlain, Wilcox and Chippindale, 2001)
Genus: Eurycea, probably honors Eurydice — although Rafinesque only wrote “Mythological” (Greek) – Eurydice was the wife of Orpheus.
Species: waterlooensis, belonging to Waterloo — poss. ref. locality
Ref. Ellen Beltz 2006
Ref. E. Jaeger 1962