Paleoamphiuma

{{Short description|Extinct genus of amphibians}}

{{Automatic taxobox

| image = Paleoamphiuma tetradactylum.jpg

| fossil_range = Early Eocene, {{Fossil range|55.5|50.5}}

| taxon = Paleoamphiuma

| authority = Rieppel and Grande, 1998

| type_species = †Paleoamphiuma tetradactylum

| type_species_authority = Rieppel and Grande, 1998

}}

Paleoamphiuma is an extinct genus of prehistoric salamanders known from the Green River Formation in Wyoming, the United States.{{cite journal |title=A well-preserved fossil amphiumid (Lissamphibia: Caudata) from the Eocene Green River Formation of Wyoming |author1=Rieppel, O. |author2=Grande, L. |journal=Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology |date=1998 |volume=18 |issue=4 |pages=700–708 |doi=10.1080/02724634.1998.10011099|bibcode=1998JVPal..18..700R }}{{cite web |url=https://paleobiodb.org/classic/checkTaxonInfo?taxon_no=135026 |title=†Paleoamphiuma Rieppel and Grande 1998 |year= |work=Paleobiology Database |publisher=Fossilworks |access-date=7 June 2021}} It was initially classified within the family Amphiumidae, but Gardner (2003) suggested that it be better placed within the family Sirenidae.{{cite journal |title=The fossil salamander Proamphiuma cretacea Estes (Caudata; Amphiumidae) and relationships within the Amphiumidae |author=Gardner, J. |date=2003 |journal=Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology |volume=23 |issue=4 |pages=769–782 |doi=10.1671/1828-4|bibcode=2003JVPal..23..769G }} The single known specimen measures 39 cm in length. It was named in reference to the extant salamander Amphiuma.