By: Bonnen Senate Sponsor-Jackson H.C.R. No. 30
       (In the Senate - Received from the House March 26, 2007;
April 3, 2007, read first time and referred to Committee on
Government Organization; May 1, 2007, reported favorably by the
following vote:  Yeas 7, Nays 0; May 1, 2007, sent to printer.)
 
 
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The State of Texas has customarily recognized a
variety of official symbols as tangible representations of its
cultural heritage and natural history; and
       WHEREAS, Among the most extraordinary of the state's
indigenous fauna is the Texas blind salamander, a small creature
that has been found only in Hays County, in the subterranean reaches
of the Edwards Aquifer around San Marcos; the vulnerability of this
salamander has been officially recognized since 1967, when it
appeared on the first endangered species list to be issued by the
U.S. government; and
       WHEREAS, Though few in number, the Texas blind salamander
commands scientific attention because it is considered to be the
most highly adapted of all cave-dwelling salamanders; this
amphibian lives in complete darkness, unless pushed to the surface
by flowing water; having no need of sight, it sports only two black
dots as vestigial eyes; and
       WHEREAS, About five inches long when mature, the Texas blind
salamander possesses a flat head, frail arms and legs, a long,
tapering tail, and a fringe of red external gills; its internal
organs are visible through its translucent skin; the top predator
in its habitat range, the salamander generally keeps to still
waters and is able to hunt by sensing water-pressure waves created
by its prey--tiny snails, shrimp, and other aquatic invertebrates;
and
       WHEREAS, The Texas blind salamander was discovered in 1895,
when a well was sunk into a cavern to supply water to the Federal
Fish Hatchery in San Marcos; Leonhard Stejneger, curator of
reptiles and amphibians at what is now the National Museum of
Natural History, provided the original scientific description of
the animal, which is known variously as Typhlomolge rathbuni and
Eurycea rathbuni; and
       WHEREAS, Serious collection of the Texas blind salamander was
begun in the 1970s and continues to the present time; salamanders
that are captured are turned over to the San Marcos National Fish
Hatchery and Technology Center, which operates a captive breeding
program for the animal; and
       WHEREAS, A remarkable species, one about which we still have
much to learn, and a denizen of the most richly diverse aquifer on
earth, the Texas blind salamander is unique to the Lone Star State,
and it is indeed fitting that this rare creature be accorded special
recognition; now, therefore, be it
       RESOLVED, That the 80th Legislature of the State of Texas
hereby designate the Texas blind salamander as the official State
Amphibian of Texas.
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