THE LACRIMAL BONE IN SALAMANDERS OF THE GENERA HYNOBIUS AND PACHYPALAMINUS: A REEXAMINATION OF ITS TAXONOMIC SIGNIFICANCE

SUMMARY From a detailed morphological reexamination we have confirmed that the lacrimal bones in the Japanese hynobiid salamanders (Amphibia Caudata), Pachypalaminus boulengeri Thompson, Hynobius kimurae Dunn, H. dunni Tago, and H. nigrescens Stejneger, are externally visible dorsally in both genera. There is no essential difference in the form and topography of the lacrimals between the two genera, and consequently, the condition of the lacrimal is not a diagnostic feature of sufficient value to justify a taxonomic separation.