History of Barton Springs A really wonderful and detailed history of Barton Springs. In a series of observational and experimental studies, I employed both traditional and novel ecological methodologies to examine environmental correlates of temporal population variability, foraging ecology and anti-predator behavior in endangered Barton Springs Salamander (Eurycea sosorum) from Austin (Travis County), Texas. Few swimmers realize they're taking a dip in the home of one of North America's most endangered species — the Barton Springs salamander. Barton Springs salamanders (Eurycea sosorum) were described by Chippindale, Price, and Hillis (1993); the type locality is Barton Springs pool, a spring-fed swimming hole in the city of Austin, Travis County, Texas. Barton Springs - a Long Prehistory. During this time, the Barton Springs salamander was listed as an endangered species and scientists have worked since then to understand the Springs aquatic ecosystem in an effort to protect it. Eurycea sosorum Chippindale, Price and Hillis, 1993 Barton Springs Salamander. Multimedia displays and interactive exhibits demonstrate how the aquifer was formed and how it maintains its average daily flow of 32 million gallons of water at Barton Springs. Life History Although relatively little is known about the biology of the Barton Springs Salamander, new information is rapidly becoming available. The history section begins on page 25 of the document. Today the springs are more commonly known as Barton Springs Pool which is located in Zilker Park and is open for swimming year-round. San Marcos Springs Other Resources. The specific name sosorum comes from the acronym used for the Austin environmental group Save Our Springs (SOS) Alliance.Eurycea has no known origin but is thought to be mythological in nature.. Barton Springs Austin, the Texas state capitol, was built where it is because of the consistent and abundant flow of water from Barton Springs, the 5th largest spring in the state. NATURAL HISTORY. Barton Springs has a record of human history stretching back at least 10,000 years. The Barton Springs Salamander is entirely aquatic throughout its life. DESCRIPTION: The Barton Springs salamander is small, with a slender body of up to 2.5 inches in … The Eurycea sosorum (Barton Springs salamander) was first collected from Barton Springs Pool in 1946, was recognized in 1978 as distinct from other central Texas Eurycea salamanders based on its restricted distribution and unique morphological and skeletal characteristics (such as its reduced eyes, elongate limbs, dorsal coloration, and reduced number of presacral vertebrae), and was given formal … 1. BARTON SPRINGS SALAMANDER } Eurycea sosorum FAMILY: Plethodontidae. About 9,800 words Photography by Barton Wilder Custom Photography The health of Barton Springs salamander is in serious decline and the federal agencies most responsible for doing something about it are once again being accused of knuckling under to political pressure, instead of relying upon scientific evidence to identify causes and cures. Like all of the Edwards Aquifer springs, they figured prominently in native American culture and had great significance on many levels. Paul T. Chippindale 1 Robert Hansen 1. starTop subjects are Literature, Science, and History Inhabiting a single area around Barton Springs in Texas, the Barton Spring Salamander is a tiny lungless freshwater salamander. Time-lapse video of embryonic development of the Barton Springs Salamander (Eurycea sosorum). An entirely aquatic amphibian, this salamander is uniquely adapted to live in Barton Springs' warm, consistently flowing water. Historical versus Current Distribution. The Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District has voted to join an endangered species lawsuit that will be filed to halt the construction of a …