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TexasTowelie

(111,313 posts)
Tue Jan 22, 2019, 07:28 AM Jan 2019

Scientists discover three new species of salamander in Central Texas

A team of biologists announced this week they’d found three new species of rare salamanders in Central Texas. The discovery of any new species is big news in science, but in Texas – where the fate of salamanders and people are often linked – it could also set up a new fight over endangered species protections.

These salamanders live underground in aquifers that people pump for water and build on top of. That puts the animals’ fate in conflict with industry and development and has at times steered the direction of local land use.

One reason San Antonio became a leader in water conservation was because of a court order in the ’90s to protect a salamander species in the Edwards Aquifer. The city of Austin has rules protecting the endangered Barton Springs salamander.

UT Professor David Hillis is one of the biologists who discovered the three – as yet unnamed – salamanders. He says more protections will likely be necessary for them, too.

Read more: https://www.austinmonitor.com/stories/2019/01/scientists-discover-three-new-species-of-salamander-in-central-texas/

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Scientists discover three new species of salamander in Central Texas (Original Post) TexasTowelie Jan 2019 OP
These species are so unique. Their populations are separated due to caves. LeftInTX Jan 2019 #1
Beautiful MagickMuffin Jan 2019 #2

LeftInTX

(24,560 posts)
1. These species are so unique. Their populations are separated due to caves.
Wed Jan 23, 2019, 12:58 AM
Jan 2019

So, they become there own specie.

In 2012, they discovered a cave dwelling spider that only exists under the 1604/151 Interchange.

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