Mertensiella sp.

Vasilyan, Davit, Cernansky, Andrej, Szyndlar, Zbigniew & Moers, Thomas, 2022, Amphibian and reptilian fauna from the early Miocene of Echzell, Germany, Fossil Record 25 (1), pp. 99-145 : 99

Mertensiella sp.

Fig. 3A-G

Material.

Five trunk vertebrae, HLMD-Ez 2039-2041.

Description.

The vertebrae are elongated and have opistocoelous centra (Fig. 3B, C ). The pre- and postzygapophyses are elliptical and extended anteriorly. The condyle is rounded and has a clear constriction at its base. The cotyle is larger in diameter than the condyle. The neural arch is moderately high. In anterior view, the neural canal is slightly dorsoventrally flattened. The neural spine is high (observable in the rather well-preserved specimen (Fig. 3B )). The anterior tip of the neural spine is located behind the posterior margin of the prezygapophyses. Posteriorly the neural spine does not reach the posterior margin of the pterygapophysis. The zygapophyseal crest is absent (four vertebrae) or extremely poorly developed. The transverse processes are poorly preserved; however, distinct dia- and parapophysis can be observed (Fig. 3B, C ). The anterior and posterior alar processes (anterior and posterior ventral crests sensu Venczel and Hír (2013)) connecting the parapophysis with the centrum are rather well developed.

Remarks.

See the remarks in Chioglossa sp.

Chioglossa Bocage, 1864

Figures

Figure 3. Vertebrae of Chioglossa sp. (A, B. HLMD-Ez 2042; C, D. HLMD-Ez 2043; F, G. HLMD-Ez 2044; E. HLMD-Ez 2043) and Mertensiella sp. (H, I. HLDM-Ez 2039) from the Echzell locality in (A, C, E, H) dorsal, (B, D, F) lateral and (D, G, I) ventral views. Scale bars: 0.5 mm.