Saniwa sp

Saniwa sp. (Figs 59-61) REFERRED SPECIMENS. — Three presacral vertebrae (NHMW 2019/0065/0001-NHMW 2019/0065/0003). DESCRIPTION Presacral vertebrae (Figs 59-61) The three vertebrae are large (Figs 59-61), 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). 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; 62) 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) These vertebrae are relatively large (Fig. 61), 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). 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) 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; 62) 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) These vertebrae are relatively large (Fig. 61), 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). 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) 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.
Published as part of 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, pp. 219-293 in Geodiversitas 43 (9) on pages 269-271, DOI: 10.5252/geodiversitas2021v43a9, http://zenodo.org/record/4720776
{"references":["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","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","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","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)."]}