image: The Cascade Caverns Salamander (Eurycea latitans) has both subterranean and surface-adapted forms occurring in the same population. Pictured are two individuals from Honey Creek Cave, one captured on the surface (top) and the other from within the cave. view more
Credit: Image courtesy of Thomas J. Devitt.
An analysis of 303 salamanders of the genus Eurycea from 99 sites in west-central Texas' Edwards-Trinity aquifer system found that patterns of population divergence and speciation were driven by complex surface and subsurface hydrogeology; the authors predict that Edwards-Trinity Eurycea may become vulnerable to extinction within 100 years because of habitat loss resulting from groundwater depletion caused by rapid population growth and a warming climate with increasing droughts.
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Article #18-15014: "Species delimitation in endangered groundwater salamanders: Implications for aquifer management and biodiversity conservation," by Thomas J. Devitt, April M. Wright, David C. Cannatella, and David M. Hillis.
MEDIA CONTACT: David M. Hillis, The University of Texas at Austin, TX; tel: 512-789-6659; email: dhillis@austin.utexas.edu; Thomas J. Devitt, The University of Texas at Austin, TX; tel: 512-974-6340; email: tdevitt@utexas.edu
Journal
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences