By Associated Press - Monday, February 24, 2014

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - In a story Feb. 21 about the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s classification of four salamanders unique to Texas, The Associated Press reported erroneously that they have been listed as endangered. The salamanders have been listed as threatened, a step below endangered status.

A corrected version of the story is below:

Feds grants protection for Central Texas species

Federal agency grants threatened status for 2 Austin-area salamander species

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - Federal officials have granted threatened species status to two salamander species unique to Central Texas.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced Friday the listing of the Georgetown salamander and the Salado (suh-LAY’-doh) salamander. It says the small amphibians are threatened by habitat degradation and changes in the flow and quality of water in the springs where they live.

The agency also proposes adopting a new Georgetown city ordinance aimed at reducing contamination from spills and creation of buffer zones around the salamanders’ habitat.

The Georgetown salamander is found in 15 springs and two caves in Williamson County. The Salado salamander is found in seven springs along Salado Creek near Salado.

Two other Austin-area species, the Jollyville Plateau and Austin blind salamanders, were listed as threatened in August.

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