Compound osteoderms preserved in amber reveal the oldest known skink.
Sci Rep
; 14(1): 15662, 2024 07 08.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38977836
ABSTRACT
Scincidae is one of the most species-rich and cosmopolitan clades of squamate reptiles. Abundant disarticulated fossil material has also been attributed to this group, however, no complete pre-Cenozoic crown-scincid specimens have been found. A specimen in Burmite (99 MYA) is the first fossil that can be unambiguously referred to this clade. Our analyses place it as nested within extant skinks, supported by the presence of compound osteoderms formed by articulated small ostedermites. The specimen has a combination of dorsal and ventral compound osteoderms and overlapping cycloid scales that is limited to skinks. We propose that this type of osteoderm evolved as a response to an increased overlap of scales, and to reduced stiffness of the dermal armour. Compound osteoderms could be a key innovation that facilitated diversification in this megadiverse family.
Texto completo:
1
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Âmbar
/
Fósseis
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2024
Tipo de documento:
Article