92 J. Alan Holman and Jerry N. McDonald 



SYSTEMATIC PALEONTOLOGY 



The classification used here follows Dowling and Duellman (1978). 

 The common names used follow Collins et al. (1978). Ranges and notes 

 on modern species follow Conant (1975) or personal observations by J. 

 A. Holman. Numbers are those of the Department of Paleobiology, 

 Division of Vertebrate Paleontology, U.S. National Museum, Washing- 

 ton, D.C. (USNM). All measurements are in millimeters. 



Class Amphibia 



Order Caudata 



Family Cryptobranchidae 



Cryptobranchus alleganiensis (Daudin), Hellbender 



Material — Trunk vertebra: USNM 404722 (Fig. 3), from Unit W2. 



Remarks. — This vertebra is indistinguishable from those of modern 

 Cryptobranchus alleganiensis. The Saltville fossil may be separated 

 from the extinct species C. guildayi Holman of the late Kansan of Trout 

 Cave, West Virginia, on the basis of vertebral ratios. The ratio of the 

 greatest length through the zygapophyses divided into the greatest width 

 through the posterior zygapophyses is .65 in the Saltville C. alleganien- 

 sis and .56-. 65, mean .602, in 18 specimens of modern C. alleganiensis. 

 This ratio was .69 in the single available vertebra of C. guildayi. 



The Hellbender occurs in the area today, and is found usually in 

 rivers and large streams where shelter is available in the form of large 

 rocks, snags, or debris. 



Family Salamandridae 

 Notophthalmus cf. N. viridescens (Rafinesque), Eastern Newt 



Material. — Five trunk vertebrae: USNM 404723, from Unit W3, 

 SV-1; USNM 404724, from Unit W3, SV-1; USNM 404725, from Unit 

 W3, SV-2; USNM 404726, from Unit W3, SV-1; and USNM 404727 

 (Fig. 4), from Unit W3, SV-1. One femur: USNM 404728, from Unit 

 W3, SV-2. One humerus: USNM 404729, from Unit W3, SV-1. 



Remarks. — The vertebrae of the genus Notophthalmus have a quite 

 characteristic high, posteriorly thickened, posteriorly divided neural 

 spine. These vertebrae appear to be identical to those of the Eastern 

 Newt, Notophthalmus viridescens. The femur and the humerus also 

 show no differences from the modern species. The Eastern Newt occurs 

 in the area today, and the habitat of the aquatic stage is ponds, lakes, 

 marshes, ditches, and other quiet bodies of unpolluted water. The ter- 

 restrial stage usually hides under objects in forested areas, but at times 

 individuals may be seen walking about in the open. We are unable to 

 tell on the basis of osteological material whether the fossils represent the 

 aquatic or the terrestrial stage. 



