Anguimorpha
Anguimorphs Temporal range:
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Reptilia |
Order: | Squamata |
Clade: | Toxicofera |
Suborder: | Anguimorpha Fürbringer, 1900 |
Subclades | |
The Anguimorpha is a suborder of
Evolution
The oldest widely accepted member of Anguimorpha is Dorsetisaurus from the Late Jurassic of Europe and North America.[2] In 2022, the genus Cryptovaranoides was described from the latest Triassic (Rhaetian) of England. Cryptovaranoides was recovered in the study as a crown-group Anguimorph, and therefore the oldest crown group-squamate, 35 million years older than any previously known crown-group squamate.[3] However, a 2023 study found that Cryptovaranoides most likely represents an archosauromorph that was only distantly related to squamates.[4]
Families
Anguidae
There are 9 genera found within the Anguidae family. They are characterized by being heavily armored with non-overlapping scales, and almost all having well-developed ventrolateral folds (excluding Anguis). Anguidae members can, however, be somewhat difficult to identify in their family, as members can be limbed or limbless, and can be both viviparous and oviparous. Anguidae members have pterygoid teeth. Many members of this family have tail autotomy.
Anniellidae
There is only one genus within the
Diploglossidae
There are three genera in the Diploglossidae family. They are characterized by having very long, automatized tails, small and well-developed limbs, and no ventrolateral fold. They do have bicuspid posterior teeth. They give both live birth, and lay clutches, according to the genus.
Xenosauridae
There is only one genus, with 6 species, found in the Xenosauridae family. This family is both dorsally and ventrally covered in knob-like scales. Their tail is about 1.2 times the length of their body. They give live birth, with a litter usually consisting of two offspring, although they can have up to eight. Gestation takes eleven to twelve months. They are primarily insectivores.
Helodermatidae
The family
Shinisauridae
The family of
Lanthanotidae
The family
Varanidae
The
Classification
The following cladogram is based on the optimal results found by Reeder et al. (2015) in the largest-scale morphological+molecular phylogenetic analysis of extant and fossil
Anguimorpha |
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Many phylogentic studies have also recovered the extinct mosasaurs within Anguimorpha.[9]
References
- S2CID 4386245.
- S2CID 91589111.
- S2CID 254180027.
- S2CID 263802572.
- ^ Reiserer RS, Schuett GW, Beck DD (2013). "Taxonomic reassessment and conservation status of the beaded lizard". Heloderma Horridum: 74–96.
- ISBN 978-0-520-24357-6.
- PMID 19451641.
- PMID 25803280.
- ISBN 978-1-108-93889-1, retrieved 2024-01-30