A Re-Evaluation of the Pleistocene Hellbender, <em>Cryptobranchus guildayi</em>, and an Overview of <em>Cryptobranchus</em> Remains from Appalachian Caves.

<p><em>Cryptobranchus guildayi</em> is described as an extinct species of large salamander that is closely related to the hellbender, <em>Cryptobranchus alleganiensis</em>. The validity of this extinct taxon has been questioned, so an expanded osteological sample of modern hellbenders was used for comparative purposes with the <em>C. guildayi</em> fossil material. Based on this analysis, all supposed distinguishing morphological characteristics used to define <em>C. guildayi</em> can be observed in specimens of <em>C. alleganiensis</em>, or are based on misidentifications. Therefore, <em>Cryptobranchus guildayi</em> is considered to be conspecific with <em>C. alleganiensis</em> and taxonomically should be considered a junior synonym of the latter. The reassignment of the <em>C. guildayi</em> specimens to <em>C. alleganiensis</em> and examination of undescribed fossil specimens from the same region expands the prehistoric range of the species to the Potomac River and its tributaries and also extends the age of the species to the Irvingtonian North American land mammal age.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

MS (Master of Science)

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis - unrestricted

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Biology

Year dc:date.issued

2010

Author dc:creator

• Bredehoeft, Keila Elaine

• Cryptobranchus
• Pleistocene
• paleontology
• salamander
• hellbender
• Earth Sciences
• Paleobiology
• Physical Sciences and Mathematics

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright by the authors.

Repository record dc:identifier

https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/1701

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dc.etsu.edu:etd-3056