Reappraisal of the south American Miocene snakes of the genus Colombophis, with description of a new species

• Autorzy: Hsiou A S , Albino A.M. , Ferigolo J.
• Języki publikacji: EN

Abstrakty

EN

A redescription of the extinct snake genus Colombophis is presented, on the basis of new specimens from the late Miocene of southwestern Brazilian Amazonia, and those previously reported for the middle Miocene of Colombia and Venezuela. The reappraisal of Colombophis allows the recognition of a new species,C. spinosussp. nov. The revised diagnosis of the genus is based on the midtrunk vertebrae, distinct from those of other snakes mainly in the features of the neural arch, position and shape of the neural spine, inclination of the zygapophyses, shape of the centrum, and development of the haemal keel. The affinities of Colombophis with “Anilioidea” are still unresolved; it is distinguished from all known extinct and extant “anilioids” due to its great vertebral size and the frequent presence of paracotylar foramina. The posterior paired apophyses of the haemal keel in some vertebrae, and the high neural spine of C. spinosus also contrast significantly with the “anilioid” genera, making the allocation of the genus into this probably paraphyletic group not well supported. Here, we recognized Colombophis as a basal alethinophidian of uncertain relationships.

Słowa kluczowe

EN

South America; Miocene; snake; Colombophis; new species; Serpentes; Alethinophidia; paleontology; systematics; location; Solimoes Formation

• Wydawca: -
• Czasopismo: Acta Palaeontologica Polonica
• Rocznik: 2010
• Tom: 55
• Numer: 3
• Opis fizyczny: p.365-379,fig.,ref.

Twórcy

autor

Hsiou A S

• Museu de Ciencias Naturais, FZB-RS, Av.Salvador Franca, 1427, CEP: 90690-000, Jardim Botanico, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

autor

Albino A.M.

autor

Ferigolo J.

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