Generic Boundaries in Texas Cave Salamanders, and a Redescription of Typhlomolge robusta (Amphibia: Plethodontidae)

Confusion presently surrounds the systematics of the salamanders of the genera Eurycea and Typhlomolge of the Edwards Plateau of central Texas. Existing morphological evidence is reviewed and found to be inadequate to resolve the status of the genus Typhlomolge. New data on skull morphology supports the continued recognition of this genus. The advanced troglobite Typhlomolge robusta Longley, 1978, is redescribed and shown to share the features which distinguish T. rathbuni from the Texas Eurycea. Typhlomolge rathbuni and T. robusta may be parapatric in the San Marcos Pool of the Balcones Aquifer