Georgia blind salamander
| Georgia blind salamander | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Amphibia |
| Order: | Urodela |
| Family: | Plethodontidae |
| Genus: | Eurycea |
| Species: | E. wallacei
|
| Binomial name | |
| Eurycea wallacei (Carr, 1939)
| |
| Synonyms | |
| |
The Georgia blind salamander (Eurycea wallacei) is a species of
Taxonomy
The Georgia blind salamander was originally described as a member of the
Distribution
The Georgia blind salamander is found in underground habitats in the Southeastern United States. Its precise distribution is unknown, however the first specimen to be examined scientifically was discovered in 1939 in water pumped from a deep well in Albany, Georgia.[2] The only other locality in Georgia from which it is known is the Climax Cave, near Climax, Georgia, in Decatur County.[3] The salamander is also known from at least eight locations near Marianna in Jackson County, Florida. All these locations are connected to the Floridan aquifer, a vast system of underground water-filled passageways in limestone which underlies much of the Southeastern United States.[2]
Biology
Very little is known about the biology of this salamander. It feeds on
The eyes are extremely reduced, and are embedded in a mass of adipose tissue. Extrinsic eye muscles are absent, and the undifferentiated retina is lacking rods and cones, an outer plexiform layer, and a subdivided nuclear layer. In some individuals a rudimentary lens is present.[4]
Habitat and conservation
The locations in which the Georgia blind salamander are found are connected by the Floridan aquifer and it is presumed that it is by this means that populations are linked. The water is usually clear, but may become cloudy after heavy rain, and remains at 18 to 21 °C (64 to 70 °F) throughout the year. Two of the caves in which this species was found at one time have since been destroyed. Other caves in the
Motion
It is blind, and uses its tail and ears to "see" where it is going. It moves weirdly, as expecting to be attacked at any time. [1]
See also
References
- ^ a b IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group (2022). "Eurycea wallacei". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2022: e.T59284A118992745. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
- ^ a b c d e Means, D Bruce. "Haideotriton wallacei Carr, 1939". AmphibiaWeb. Retrieved 2013-07-04.
- ^ Minor, Elliott (1999-06-20). "Rare Species Found to Inhabit Georgia Caves". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2013-07-06.
- ^ Cave Biodiversity: Speciation and Diversity of Subterranean Fauna