COLUBRIDAE, Oppel, 1811

Lapparent, France de, Bailon, Salvador, Augé, Marc Louis & Rage, Jean-Claude, 2020, Amphibians and reptiles from the Neogene of Afghanistan, Geodiversitas 42 (22), pp. 409-426 : 421-422

COLUBRIDAE of the “natricine type ” or ELAPIDAE of the Naja Laurenti, 1768 group

Gen. et sp. indet.

LOCALITY AND AGE. — Sherullah 9, Khordkabul basin, Afghanistan, late Miocene, late Vallesian-basal Turolian transition, MN10/11.

MATERIAL EXAMINED. — Eight vertebrae (AFG 1671).

DESCRIPTION

The vertebrae are mainly characterized by the morphology of their centrum. The ventral face is clearly delimited laterally by prominent subcentral ridges. The ridges slightly diverge anteriorly; consequently, the centrum is narrow. A hypapophysis was present (broken off on all specimens). A deep keel prolongs it anteriorly. The ventral surface is flat or slightly concave between the keel and subcentral ridges. The cotyle and condyle are comparatively large.

COMMENTS

Narrow centra, with a hypapophysis and well-delimited, flat or concave ventral face characterize “natricine” Colubridae (sensu Szyndlar 1991b) and Elapidae of the Naja group. In the specimens from Sherullah 9, no character permits assignment within this morphological assemblage. Therefore, this snake may be regarded as either a Colubridae or an Elapidae .