LACERTIDAE indet.

(Fig. 2A, B)

MATERIAL. — MWQ, early Miocene, Burdigalian, Orleanian, MN 4: 2/2003 Reptile Joint: one left frontal (Pal. 1565).

DESCRIPTION

Frontal

Only the anterior portion of the left frontal is preserved. The dorsal surface bears two osteodermal shields fused to the bone. The main region is occupied by the frontal shield, whereas the prefrontal shield is located in the anterolateral section. The dorsal regions of the shields are sculptured. The sculpture consists of irregularly distributed pits and several connected ridges. Both shields are separated one from another by a slightly rounded (medially convex) sulcus, which runs posterolaterally to the lateral margin of the bone. The anterior termination of the frontal is divided into larger lateral process and slightly smaller medial process. Between them, a wedge-shaped facet for the nasal is present, forming a bony septum. The facet for the posterodorsal termination of the maxillary nasal process is located lateral to the lateral process, however, this region is damaged. The medial margin, which forms a contact with the right frontal, is straight. On the internal surface, the frontal cranial ridge can be observed. This portion is unfortunately badly preserved – its section that would form an anteroventrally oriented subolfactory process is broken off.