Blanco Blind Salamander

An extremely rare, blind, cave-dwelling salamander. Initially four individuals were discovered while a spring was being excavated, but only one preserved specimen currently is known. Pigmentless, gilled throughout life, and with extremely reduced eyes. The body is stout, the limbs relatively robust, and the tail thick with a moderately high tail fin. 57 mm snout to vent length (101 mm total length) (Potter and Sweet 1981; Petranka 1998).Until recently E. rathbuni and E. robusta were placed in the genus Typhlomolge. Although they are extreme in their specializations for living in underground aquatic systems, these two species are closely related to other species of Eurycea from Texas and the eastern United States (Chippindale 1995; Petranka 1998).

Known only from a single locality northeast of San Marcos, Hays County, Texas. This species was discovered while excavating a spring in a dried bed in the Blanco River. The site has subsequently been covered with water from the Blanco River and filled with gravel and silt (Potter and Sweet 1981; Petranka 1998). Habits are likely to be similar to other subterranean salamanders of the genus Eurycea, particularly E. rathbuni.

Not known

Known only from the single collection of four individuals, this species is currently the subject of a petition for federal endangered species listing (Petranka 1998).