Eurycea naufragia

Scientific name. Eurycea naufragia

Common Name. Georgetown Salamander

General information. The Georgetown Salamander is completely aquatic, found in the vicinity of spring outflows, under rocks or in gravel substrate.

Protected status. The Georgetown Salamander is listed as a federally threatened species by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and can not be collected without a federally issued permit.

Diagnostic features. Broad but short head with large eyes Deep red external gills. Weakly developed tail fin Four toes on front feet, five on hind feet. Fourteen to sixteen costal grooves.

Coloration. Gray dorsal ground color with light brown streak along midline, from head to base of tail Dark pigment scattered across body, forming a netlike pattern Pigment also present on palms of feet and lower jaw. Ventral surface immaculate (and transparent) Golden-yellow tail with some mottled pigment May be 1-3 rows of iridiophores on lateral surface.

General distribution. The entire distribution of Eurycea naufragia is restricted to springs and one cave in Williamson County, Texas.

Texas distribution. Eurycea naufragia is known from springs associated with the drainages of the south, middle , and north forks of the San Gabriel River near Georgetown (Williamson County), Texas.

Habitat. Strictly aquatic, Eurycea naufragia is found only in a handful of springs of Williamson County.

Reproduction. Unknown. Juveniles are miniature versions of the adults.

Size. Maximum adult size in Eurycea naufragia is around 6 cm (2.25 in) total length.

Map. Orange counties indicate new county records since previous Herps of Texas update in 1998; all other colored counties reflect known distribution prior to 1998 for species and/or subspecies. Map is based on museum voucher specimens.