toxins which affects their nervous and muscular systems and ultimately leads to death; making them highly sensitive to water pollution. The black-spotted newt is not known to occur within protected areas through its range in Mexico. However, there are reports of this species found from the Laguna Atascosa and Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuges, and from the Audubon Sabal Palm Grove Sanctuary in Texas. Conservation efforts may also occur in other protected areas. This species is listed as threatened by Texas Parks, but the Mexican government recognizes the black-spotted newt as endangered. References Herps of Texas: Notophthalmus meridionalis Ellen Trout Zoo: Black-spotted Newt National Audubon Society Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians Newts Amphibians of Mexico Amphibians of the United States Fauna of the Southwestern United States Amphibians described in 1880 Taxa named by Edward Drinker Cope