Ophisaurus
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publication ID |
https://doi.org/ 10.5252/g2014n4a4 |
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DOI |
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.4837346 |
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persistent identifier |
https://treatment.plazi.org/id/03D6987B-4479-B124-FF38-12BCFB05E49F |
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treatment provided by |
Felipe |
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scientific name |
Ophisaurus |
| status |
s.l. |
Genus Ophisaurus s.l. Daudin, 1803
TYPE SPECIES. — Ophisaurus ventralis (Linnaeus, 1766) by monotypy.
MATERIAL EXAMINED. — Six trunk ( SPV 727) and 15 caudal ( SPV 728) vertebrae, and about 140 osteoderms ( SPV 729).
DESCRIPTION
Ŋe trunk vertebrae are depressed as well as are their cotyles and condyles. Ŋe ventral surface of the centrum is almost flat and it clearly widens anteriorly. Ŋe caudal vertebrae are more elongate than those from the trunk and they bear haemapophyses fused to the centrum. Most caudals have an autotomous septum. Ŋe osteoderms are approximately rectangular; their external face is made up of an anterior smooth, gliding surface and a posterior larger, ornamented part. Ŋe ornamentation is comprised of ridges and grooves; a low longitudinal keel occurs in the ornamented part. Ŋe internal face is entirely smooth, but two small foramina are present.
DISCUSSION
Ŋe morphology of these vertebrae and osteoderms is quite typical of the Anguinae , a taxon that includes elongate, limbless forms. Ŋe vertebral centrum, whose lateral borders markedly diverge anteriorly, shows that the vertebrae do not belong to Anguis Linnaeus, 1758 . Ŋe other genera belonging to the Anguinae may be securely distinguished only on the basis of cranial bones; they are often collectively referred to as “ Ophisaurus s.l. ” Ŋerefore, the anguine from Saint-Privat-des-Vieux is referred to the latter assemblage, without further identification. Anguinae occur in most localities from the European Cenozoic; they were all terrestrial.
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