The release of a December 2018 study brought a local myth to life. On Dec. 5, 2018, researchers announced confirmation of new species of salamander, the reticulated siren. For decades this species has been somewhat of a myth in Southern Alabama and the Florida Panhandle, seen only by a lucky few.
The siren is a large, odd-looking spotted salamander, with external gills, a horny beak and no hind legs. It is big for a salamander, up to 2 feet long, begging the question, how did it stay a secret for so long?
The siren has been sighted in only three areas: Lake Jackson on the Alabama side of the lake; the Fish River in Baldwin County, Alabama; and a clearwater stream and nearby bay swamp on Eglin Air Force Base in Okaloosa County, Florida. Its environment primarily consists of shallow freshwater marshes, and it seems to like turbid waters, making it hard to spot. There is little information regarding its life history and ecology. But now that scientists have confirmed the siren’s existence, lawyers and researchers are asking how can the siren be protected?
Alabama is home to over 73 species of amphibians, many of which are uniquely situated to benefit from protections under two federal statutes: the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and the Clean Water Act (CWA). Those interested in seeking protection for the siren could pursue listing under the ESA. The first step would be to petition the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) to list the siren under the act.
Despite the term “endangered” being defined as likely to become extinct throughout its range in the foreseeable future, and considering the rarity of the siren, the ESA does not require a population count to determine whether a species should be protected. Instead, it looks at factors that affect a species’ survival and recovery.
FWS will only add a species to the list when it is determined that the species is “threatened” or “endangered” due to any of the following factors: adverse impacts to its habitat or range; over-hunting or capture; disease or predation; inadequacy of other laws to protect it; or other natural or manmade factors affecting the species’ survival.
However, the listing process under the ESA can be lengthy. Many species are on FWS waiting lists for years, if not decades. While an ESA listing is pending, the siren’s continued survival could be aided by the CWA. For a wholly-aquatic species like the siren, water quality is everything.
The Alabama waterbodies that are home to the siren, Lake Jackson and Fish River, are listed as impaired under the state’s water quality list under the CWA. Both of the waterbodies inhabited by the siren are ranked as a “low priority” by Alabama. This could impact the state’s efforts to take action and enforce applicable standards.
Therefore, another course of action to help the siren would be to work with the State of Alabama to increase the priority of these two water bodies or, at the very least, ensure that the state is enforcing the existing standards.