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The anatomy of the fossil varanid lizard Saniwa ensidens Leidy, 1870, based on a newly discovered complete skeleton

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 July 2015

Olivier Rieppel  and
Lance Grande
Olivier Rieppel
Affiliation:
Department of Geology, the Field Museum, 1400 S Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60605-2496,
Lance Grande
Affiliation:
Department of Geology, the Field Museum, 1400 S Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60605-2496,
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Abstract

The skeleton of a newly discovered, exceptionally preserved specimen of Saniwa ensidens is described in detail. the fossil consists of a complete articulated skeleton exposed in dorsal view. It adds important additional information to our knowledge of the anatomy of this fossil varanoid taxon, including a detailed description of the dermatocranium in dorsal view, complete vertebral counts, and a detailed account of the appendicular skeleton. Cartilage preservation allows the identification of treacheal rings, sternum, inscriptional ribs, epicoracoid and suprascapula. Patches of skin are preserved on dermal skull bones, and scattered scales surround the entire skeleton. Incomplete ossification of carpal and tarsal elements, as well as of epiphyses, indicate that the specimen is not fully mature.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Paleontology , Volume 81 , Issue 4 , July 2007 , pp. 643 - 665
Copyright
Copyright © The Paleontological Society 

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