Trematops milleri Williston, 1909, identified as a junior synonym of Acheloma cumminsi Cope, 1882 : with a revision of the genus. American Museum novitates ; no. 2902

Abstract

"The early Permian temnospondyl amphibians Acheloma cumminsi Cope, 1882 and Trematops milleri Williston, 1909 of the family Trematopsidae prove, upon reexamination of the holotypes, to be indistinguishable. Since the former name has priority, Trematops milleri is declared to be a subjective junior synonym of Acheloma cumminsi. The family name Trematopsidae is retained. The generic diagnosis of Acheloma cumminsi is revised to emphasize the presence of a slitlike, posteriorly closed otic notch, a supratympanic shelf, an internal naris with an anteroposterior length less than that of the posterior division of the external naris, and a median septum of the vomers that contacts the roof of the antorbital region. The slitlike, dorsally convex otic notch of Acheloma cumminsi is unique among labyrinthodont amphibians. The dimensions of this otic notch suggest that the tympanum, if present, was similarly reduced and could not have been part of an efficient impedance-matching hearing apparatus"--P. [1].