Geologica Belgica

1374-8505 2034-1954

 

Impact factor: 1.8 (2022)

since 05 February 2011 :
View(s): 1250 (6 ULiège)
Download(s): 1072 (8 ULiège)
print        
Annelise FOLIE, Richard SMITH & Thierry SMITH

New amphisbaenian lizards from the Early Paleogene of Europe and their implications for the early evolution of modern amphisbaenians

(volume 16 (2013) — number 4 - Dispersal of continental vertebrates during the Paleogene)
Article
Open Access

Attached document(s)

Annexes

Mots-clés : Belgium, France, Eocene, Hainin, Dormaal, Paleocene

Abstract

Three new amphisbaenian lizard taxa are described from the Early Paleogene of Western Europe. Two new basal forms, Polyodontobaena belgica gen. et sp. nov. from the Early Paleocene of Hainin (Belgium) and Camptognathosaurus parisiensis gen. et sp. nov. from the Late Paleocene of Rivecourt-Patit Pâtis and Cernay-lès-Reims (France), are characterised by a dentary lacking a strong angle at the symphysis and bearing 10 to 12 massively built and conical teeth. These two taxa form the new family Polyodontobaenidae. A third new amphisbaenian, Blanosaurus primeocaenus gen. et sp. nov., is also described from the Early Eocene of Dormaal (Belgium), Condé-en-Brie and Prémontré (France) and represents the oldest modern amphisbaenian lizard of Europe, tentatively assigned to Blanidae. It is characterised by a reduction of tooth number and by the presence of a strong angle at the symphysis. Palaeobiogeographic considerations suggest a first hypothesis that the Eocene forms would have evolved from the Paleocene species.The second hypothesis would be that as for the lizard Scincoideus haininensis, primitive amphisbaenians were present in Europe from the Paleocene,whereas beginning in the Early Eocene only modern forms with typical reduced dentition (fewer than 10 teeth) are present. The origin of these modern forms is very likely related with the dispersal of the first modern mammals.

To cite this article

Annelise FOLIE, Richard SMITH & Thierry SMITH, «New amphisbaenian lizards from the Early Paleogene of Europe and their implications for the early evolution of modern amphisbaenians», Geologica Belgica [En ligne], volume 16 (2013), number 4 - Dispersal of continental vertebrates during the Paleogene, 227-235 URL : https://popups.uliege.be/1374-8505/index.php?id=4265.

About: Annelise FOLIE

Scientific Heritage Survey, Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, rue Vautier 29, B-1000 Brussels, Belgium. E-mail: annelise.folie@naturalsciences.be

About: Richard SMITH

O.D. Earth and History of Life, Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, rue Vautier 29, B-1000 Brussels, Belgium. E-mail: richardsmithpal@hotmail.com

About: Thierry SMITH

O.D. Earth and History of Life, Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, rue Vautier 29, B-1000 Brussels, Belgium. E-mail: thierry.smith@naturalsciences.be