Saniwa sp. Anguimorpha Squamata, Oppel, 1811 GEKKOTA Cuvier, 1817

Georgalis, Georgios L., Čerňanský, Andrej & Klembara, Jozef, 2021, Osteological atlas of new lizards from the Phosphorites du Quercy (France), based on historical, forgotten, fossil material, Geodiversitas 43 (9), pp. 219-293 : 269-271

publication ID

https://doi.org/10.5252/geodiversitas2021v43a9

publication LSID

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:11D0D852-39D7-449C-9EB3-C3D804114556

persistent identifier

https://treatment.plazi.org/id/03A1633B-FF97-FFF5-31B2-F90AF9A33FE1

treatment provided by

Felipe

scientific name

Saniwa sp. Anguimorpha Squamata
status

 

Saniwa sp.

( Figs 59-61 View FIG View FIG View FIG )

REFERRED SPECIMENS. — Three presacral vertebrae (NHMW 2019/0065/0001-NHMW 2019/0065/0003).

DESCRIPTION

Presacral vertebrae ( Figs 59-61 View FIG View FIG View FIG )

The three vertebrae are large ( Figs 59-61 View FIG View FIG View FIG ), with centrum lengths ranging from about 8.8 to 9.6 mm (seeAppendix 1). The centrum is almost triangular in ventral view and widens anteriorly (though not to that extent as in melanosaurine vertebrae described above). The subcentral ridges are straight in ventral view. The prezygapophyses are either much dorsally tilted (NHMW 2019/0065/0003) or only slightly so (in the other two specimens). The prezygapophyseal articular facets are massive and broad in dorsal view. The postzygapophyseal articular facets are also massive. The neural spine develops in height mostly in the posterior half of the neural arch. The neural arch is vaulted in posterior view. There are slight signs of “pseudozygosphene” and “pseudozygantrum” (sensu Hoffstetter 1969). The cotyle and the condyle are strongly depressed. The centrum appear more convex in lateral view is NHMW 2019/0065/0001 and NHMW 2019/0065/0002, while it is more straight in NHMW 2019/0065/0003. In all specimens though, the dorsal level of the cotyle can be clearly visible in ventral view of the specimen. Precondylar constriction can be observed (even slightly though) in NHMW 2019/0065/0001, as the respective portion of the centrum is eroded in the other two specimens. Anocotylar foramina are present and are most prominent in the largest vertebra NHMW 2019/0065/0001 ( Fig. 59A View FIG ).

REMARKS

These three vertebrae can be referred to Saniwa on the basis of their triangular centrum that widens anteriorly and the slight presence of “pseudozygosphene” and “pseudozygantrum” ( Gilmore 1922; Rage & Augé 2003; Augé 2005). See Discussion below for further information on European material of Saniwa .

Anguimorpha indet.

( Figs 61 View FIG ; 62 View FIG )

REFERRED SPECIMENS. — Five presacral vertebrae (NHMW 2019/0046/0003- NHMW 2019/0046/0007); a partial pectoral girdle (NHMW 2019/0095/0001).

DESCRIPTION AND REMARKS

Presacral vertebrae ( Fig. 61 View FIG )

These vertebrae are relatively large ( Fig. 61 View FIG ), with centrum lengths ranging between 6.9 and 9.3 mm (see Appendix 1).

The vertebrae demonstrate a mix of several features present in the above described specimens of Placosaurus , Anguinae indet., and Palaeovaranus . They have high neural spines, depressed cotyle and condyle, while the ventral surface of their centra is crossed by a wide surface or groove that is unlike the conditions seen above for the other taxa ( Fig. 61 View FIG ). Considering the high intracolumnar variation observed in the vertebrae of extant lizards (e.g., Pseudopus ), we are reluctant in assigning these specimens in a more precise taxonomic rank and we cannot even exclude that they (or part of them) pertain to some of the above described taxa.

Pectoral girdle NHMW 2019/0095/0001 ( Fig. 62 View FIG )

This specimen is incomplete, though preserving in relatively good state the right scapulocoracoid. The glenoid fossa is visible, well demarking the point of attachment with the humerus. Anteriorly to the glenoid fossa, lies the coracoid foramen. Dorsally to the foramen, the scapulocoracoid is of rectangular shape and is dorsoventrally elongated. The ventral portion of the element is anteroposteriorly elongated.

It is readily obvious that this specimen apparently pertains to a rather large-sized lizard. Considering our currently inadequate state of knowledge of the appendicular skeleton of Paleogene European lizards, it is impossible to associate it with any of the above described glyptosaurines, palaeovaranids, and varanids, all of which could attain a considerably large size.

Squamata indet.

REFERRED SPECIMEN. — A?sacral vertebra ( NHMW 2019/0095/0002).

DESCRIPTION AND REMARKS.

This vertebra is incomplete and not informative.

Anguimorpha indet.

( Figs 61 View FIG ; 62 View FIG )

REFERRED SPECIMENS. — Five presacral vertebrae (NHMW 2019/0046/0003- NHMW 2019/0046/0007); a partial pectoral girdle (NHMW 2019/0095/0001).

DESCRIPTION AND REMARKS

Presacral vertebrae ( Fig. 61 View FIG )

These vertebrae are relatively large ( Fig. 61 View FIG ), with centrum lengths ranging between 6.9 and 9.3 mm (see Appendix 1).

The vertebrae demonstrate a mix of several features present in the above described specimens of Placosaurus , Anguinae indet., and Palaeovaranus . They have high neural spines, depressed cotyle and condyle, while the ventral surface of their centra is crossed by a wide surface or groove that is unlike the conditions seen above for the other taxa ( Fig. 61 View FIG ). Considering the high intracolumnar variation observed in the vertebrae of extant lizards (e.g., Pseudopus ), we are reluctant in assigning these specimens in a more precise taxonomic rank and we cannot even exclude that they (or part of them) pertain to some of the above described taxa.

Pectoral girdle NHMW 2019/0095/0001 ( Fig. 62 View FIG )

This specimen is incomplete, though preserving in relatively good state the right scapulocoracoid. The glenoid fossa is visible, well demarking the point of attachment with the humerus. Anteriorly to the glenoid fossa, lies the coracoid foramen. Dorsally to the foramen, the scapulocoracoid is of rectangular shape and is dorsoventrally elongated. The ventral portion of the element is anteroposteriorly elongated.

It is readily obvious that this specimen apparently pertains to a rather large-sized lizard. Considering our currently inadequate state of knowledge of the appendicular skeleton of Paleogene European lizards, it is impossible to associate it with any of the above described glyptosaurines, palaeovaranids, and varanids, all of which could attain a considerably large size.

Squamata indet.

REFERRED SPECIMEN. — A?sacral vertebra ( NHMW 2019/0095/0002).

DESCRIPTION AND REMARKS.

This vertebra is incomplete and not informative.

Squamata indet.

REFERRED SPECIMEN. — A?sacral vertebra ( NHMW 2019/0095/0002).

DESCRIPTION AND REMARKS.

This vertebra is incomplete and not informative.

AUGE M. 2005. - Evolution des lezards du Paleogene en Europe. Museum national d'Histoire naturelle, Paris: 1 - 369 (Memoires du Museum national d'Histoire naturelle; 192).

GILMORE C. W. 1922. - A new description of Saniwa ensidens Leidy, an extinct varanid lizard from Wyoming. Proceedings of the United States National Museum 60: 1 - 28. https: // doi. org / 10.5479 / si. 00963801.60 - 2418.1

HOFFSTETTER R. 1969. - Presence de Varanidae (Reptilia, Sauria) dans le Miocene de Catalogne. Considerations sur l'histoire de la famille. Bulletin du Museum national d'Histoire naturelle, 2 eme serie, 40: 1051 - 1064. https: // www. biodiversitylibrary. org / page / 55344240

RAGE J. - C. & AUGE M. 2003. - Amphibians and squamate reptiles from the lower Eocene of Silveirinha (Portugal). Ciencias da Terra (UNL) 15: 103 - 116. http: // hdl. handle. net / 10362 / 4731

Gallery Image

FIG. 59. — Saniwa sp. Photographs of presacral vertebra NHMW 2019/0065/0001 in anterior (A), posterior (B), dorsal (C), ventral (D), and left lateral (E) views. Scale bar: 2 mm.

Gallery Image

FIG. 60. — Saniwa sp. A-E, photographs of presacral vertebra NHMW 2019/0065/0002 in anterior (A), posterior (B), dorsal (C), ventral (D), and right lateral (E) views;F-J, photographs of presacral vertebra NHMW 2019/0065/0003 in anterior (F), posterior (G), dorsal (H), ventral (I), and left lateral (J) views.Scale bar: 2 mm.

Gallery Image

FIG. 61. — Anguimorpha indet. A-E, photographs of presacral vertebra NHMW 2019/0046/0005 in anterior (A), posterior (B), dorsal (C), ventral (D), and left lateral (E) views; F-J, photographs of presacral vertebra 2019/0046/0004 in anterior (F), posterior (G), dorsal (H), ventral (I), and right lateral (J) views. Scale bar: 2 mm.

Gallery Image

FIG. 62. — Anguimorpha indet. Photographs of pectoral girdle NHMW 2019/0095/0001 in dorsal (A), ventral (B), and posterolateral (C) views. Scale bar: 2 mm.

NHMW

Naturhistorisches Museum, Wien

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Chordata

Class

Reptilia

Order

Squamata

Family

Varanidae

Genus

Saniwa