Subterranean Fishes of the World

5943

2000

Herpetological Monographs

1-80

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ABSTRACT: Genetic variation and phylogenetic relationships of central Texas nontransforming spring and cave salamanders, genera Eurycea and Typhlomolge (Plethodontidae: Plethodontinae: Hemidactyliini), were examined using 25 allozyme loci and DNA sequence data for a maximum 356 bp of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene. Monophyly of the central Texas hemidactyliines well supported. High levels of divergence occur among many populations and groups of populations, and there clearly are many more species in the group than previously recognized. Many extremely restricted distributions in isolated islands of aquatic habitat. Several major monophyletic groups were identified that correspond to geographically circumscribed areas of the Edwards region. The deepest phylogenetic split in the group occurs between populations northeast southwest of the Colorado River. Species that have been assigned to the genus Typhlomolge phylogenetically nested within the central Texas Eurycea; therefore, the genus Typhlomolge in the synonymy of Eurycea. Continued recognition of the species E. latitans, E. nana, E. neotenes, E. pterophila, E. sosorum, E. tridentifera, and E. troglodytes is recommended, but E. neotenes appears to be restricted in range to a small geographic area, and is not widespread in the region previously thought. The E. latitans and E. troglodytes species complexes are recognized; each sists of spring and cave populations that include those at the type localities of the latter two plus other populations to which they appear most closely related. Three new species from northeast of the Colorado River are described. Key words: Caudata; Plethodontidae; Eurycea; Typhlomolge; Eurycea chisholmensis new species; Eurycea naufragia new species; Eurycea tonkawae new species; Phylogeny; Speciation; Central Texas; Allozymes; Cytochrome

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