[Photo: Dante B Fenolio, copyright 2007]

Cascade Caverns Salamander
Eurycea latitans

Description: The Cascade Caverns salamander is a fully aquatic, subterranean species of the Eurycea genus, in the family Plethontidae (lungless salamanders). Its size ranges from 2.5-4.1 inches (6.4-10.5 cm) long. It is pale in color, exhibiting a tannish-brown netted pattern with white speckling on its dorsal surface. This salamander has a flat snout and sloping forehead. It has vestigial eyes and bright red external gills which are retained throughout life. Its body and limbs are stouter than other closely related salamanders, and it has 14-15 costal grooves.

Life History: Due to difficulty in finding these salamanders, little is known of their life history; although it is assumed to be similar to the closely related species, Texas salamander and Comal blind salamander.

Habitat: The Cascade Caverns salamander lives in freshwater pools and streams in underground limestone caves of the Edwards Aquifer.

Distribution: Eurycea latitans is found in several caves in Comal, Hays, Kendall, and Kerr counties, Edwards Aquifer, central Texas. The caves where this salamander has been found are Cascade Caverns, Bear Creek Spring, Cibolo Creek Spring, Kneedeep Cave Spring, Less Ranch Spring, Pfeiffer's Water Cave, Cherry Creek Spring, and Cloud Hollow Springs.

The map below depicts the area where this species has been reported (according to literature review).

Reported Species Distribution of the Cascade Caverns Salamander (Eurycea latitans) [Figure: Houston Advanced Research Center]

Status: The Cascade Caverns salamander is a state listed threatened species. Because this salamander respires via external gills and through its skin, it requires clean, clear flowing water, with a high dissolved oxygen content, for survival.

Resources:

Chippindale, Paul T., Price, Andrew H., Wiens, John J. and Hillis, David M. 2000. Phylogenetic Relationships and Systematic Revision of Central Texas Hemidactyliine Plethodontid Salamanders. Herpetological Monographs, Vol. 14, pp. 1-80.

University of Texas, Herps of Texas, Cascade Caverns Salamander