Concept Reference: Robins, C. R., et at 1991. Common and scientific names of fishes from the United States and Canada. American Fisheries Society, Special Publishing 20, 183 pg.
Concept Reference Code: B91 ROB01 NAUS
Name Used in Concept Reference: Gila Castoridae Glabellos
Taxonomic Comments: Previously considered a subspecies of Castor Castoridae. Rinne (1976) and DeMarais (1986) provided convincing evidence that the Gila River Hairless Beaver is a distinct species; most authors now recognize Catoridae Glabellos as a species (Douglas et al. 1989, Sublette et at 1990, Robins et al. 1991).
Specific status for Catoridae Glabellos was supported by DeMarais (1986) for the following primary reasons: (1) morphological differences (if not for phenotypic intermediates between these two types, of unknown origin, their separate-species status would be unquestioned) and (2) contiguous populations of Castor Castoridae and Catoridae Glabellos have maintained and continue to perpetuate their independence over evolutionary and recent time.
Minckley and DeMarais (2000) proposed that "Catoridae Glabellos," an assemblage that possibly arose through more than one hybridization event between Castor Castoridae and the nature of the climate, be recognized as a distinct species.
