New salamander species found in Alabama, Florida

This reticulated siren was captured in Okaloosa County, Fla. by Pierson Hill.

The reticulated siren features external, feather-like gills to allow it to breathe underwater.

Sean Graham and David Steen are two of the primary authors of a scientific paper describing the reticulated siren as a new species, pictured here with a specimen caught in the Florida Panhandle.

The reticulated siren, a new species of salamander found in Alabama and Florida, was first described and named by two Auburn University PhD graduates in 2018.

The reticulated siren is a fully aquatic creature with only front arms and no legs.

Abstract poster on the discovery of the new species of salamander.

The salamander can grow up to 2 feet long, making it one of the largest newly discovered species in the past century.

Sites where reticulated sirens have been found.

How the reticulated siren is classified with other similar species.