9508574 Wake This research involves study of the evolutionary relationships of terrestrial lungless salamanders , family Plethodontidae. The proposed work concentrates on obtaining DNA sequence data and new morphological data for the Bolitoglossini tribe so that explicit phylogenetic hypotheses can be tested at several hierarchical levels. %%% Not only does this study have value for understanding the evolutionary history of members of this group, but knowledge of this group will provide information of critical value in developing land use and conservation strategies in the future. Several of the taxa involved are federally listed species and some others may already be extinct. ***
