COLUBRINAE, Oppel, 1811

Ivanov, Martin & Böhme, Madelaine, 2011, Snakes from Griesbeckerzell (Langhian, Early Badenian), North Alpine Foreland Basin (Germany), with comments on the evolution of snake faunas in Central Europe during the Miocene Climatic Optimum, Geodiversitas 33 (3), pp. 411-449 : 430-431

COLUBRINAE gen. et sp. indet.

MATERIAL EXAMINED. — Griesbeckerzell 1a: 14 precaudal vertebrae ( BSPG 1997 XIII 555-568); Griesbeckerzell 1b: 1 precaudal vertebra ( BSPG 1997 XIII 569).

LOCALITY. — Griesbeckerzell 1a, 1b.

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DESCRIPTION

Precaudal vertebrae

Preserved precaudal vertebrae (mostly trunk vertebrae determined based on the presence of a haemal keel) are strongly damaged.The cl/naw ratio (>1), presence of paracotylar foramina in deep depressions on both sides of the rounded cotylar rim, a vaulted neural arch, and the absence of hypapophysis indicate that these fossils belong to the subfamily Colubrinae .Remains of the largest vertebrae probably represent middle trunk vertebrae of “ Coluber ” caspioides . A distinct step in the anterior portion of the haemal keel resembles that observed in “ Coluber ” dolnicensis , although the anterior step of the haemal keel of “ Coluber ” dolnicensis extends more vertically (cf. Szyndlar 1987: 64, fig. 8B).