[Photo: Suzanne L. Collins, Center for North American Herpetology]

Comal Blind Salamander
Eurycea tridentifera

Description: The Comal blind salamander is a small, fully aquatic, subterranean species of the Eurycea genus, in the family Plethontidae (lungless salamanders). Its size ranges from 1.5-2.9 inches (3.8-7.3 cm) long. It is white to yellowish-white with translucent skin. This salamander has a large head with a flat snout and sloping forehead. It has vestigial eyes and bright red external gills which are retained throughout life. Its limbs are shorter than other similar looking salamanders (i.e. Texas blind salamander) and it has 11-12 costal grooves. The Comal blind salamander has a dorsal fin and four toes on its front feet and five toes on its hind feet.

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

Habitat: The Comal blind salamander lives in freshwater pools and streams in underground limestone caves in the Edwards Aquifer.

Distribution: Eurycea tridentifera is found in several caves in Comal and Bexar counties, Edwards Aquifer, central Texas. The caves where this salamander has been found are Honey Creek Cave, Ebert Cave, Badweather Pit, Rebecca Creek Springs, Genesis Cave, and caves at the Camp Bullis army base.

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

Reported Species Distribution of the Comal Blind Salamander (Eurycea tridentifera) [Figure: Houston Advanced Research Center]

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

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.

Edwards Aquifer Research and Data Center

University of Texas, Herps of Texas, Comal Blind Salamander