We here describe the first Neogene record of the squamate clade Mabuyidae. Although this clade has a cosmopolitan distribution today, no pre-Quarternary fossil record of these reptiles has so far been documented. The material comes from the locality Solnechnodolsk (Russia) and is dated to the late Miocene (MN 13). Although it comprises only jaw elements, it constitutes the first evidence of the occurrence of fossil skinks around the area of the Black Sea. The material is identical to Heremites vittatus, showing the existence of this lineage as early as the late Miocene. Thus, it may be used as a potential calibration point for further studies. The comparative anatomy of the structures of lower jaw in selected scincomorph taxa with a special reference to Mabuya group is presented. The closure of the Meckelian canal is the condition at the basal node of the clade Sphenomorphidae + Eugongylidae + Egerniidae + Mabuyidea, whereas the closed canal in Acontias (Acontidae) evolved independently. However, Sphenomorphidae (Asymblepharus and Scincella) + Eugongylidae (Ablepharus) retain a large anterior opening of the Meckelian canal, whereas only a small opening characterizes the basal node of Egerniidae and Mabuyidae, except for H. vittatus and H. septemtaeniatus. The closure of the Meckelian canal in these two taxa is less well developed in comparison with other mabuyid skinks. Thus, a heterochronic pedomorphic process might have played a role in the evolution of these skinks. The Meckelian canal condition supports the monophyly of Heremites.
Analysis in Mesquite
Mesquite was used for optimizations
and ancestral state determinations.
Acontias meleagris
CT datasets of Acontias meleagris NHMW 10653-1 from Čerňanský and Syromyatnikova Papers in Palaeontology
CT data include stl 3D model and DICOM files. All can be open with winrar + and Volume Graphic studio and AVIZO.
Heremites vittatus
CT datasets of Heremites vittatus DJ 6735 from Čerňanský and Syromyatnikova Papers in Palaeontology
CT data include stl 3D model and DICOM files. All can be open with winrar + and Volume Graphic studio and AVIZO.
Heremites auratus
CT datasets of Heremites auratus ZMB Herp 1261 from Čerňanský and Syromyatnikova Papers in Palaeontology
CT data include stl 3D model and DICOM files. All can be open with winrar + and Volume Graphic studio and AVIZO.
Heremites septemtaeniatus
CT datasets of Heremites septemtaeniatus NHMW 34793 from Čerňanský and Syromyatnikova Papers in Palaeontology
CT data include stl 3D model and DICOM files. All can be open with winrar + and Volume Graphic studio and AVIZO.
Heremites septemtaeniatus juvenile
CT datasets of Heremites septemtaeniatus (juvenile) DJ 2922 from Čerňanský and Syromyatnikova Papers in Palaeontology
CT data include stl 3D model and DICOM files. All can be open with winrar + and Volume Graphic studio and AVIZO.
Eutropis multifasciata
CT datasets of eutropis multifasciata (AC) from Čerňanský and Syromyatnikova Papers in Palaeontology
CT data include stl 3D model and DICOM files. All can be open with winrar + and Volume Graphic studio and AVIZO.
Eutropis multifaciata AC.rar
Broadleysaurus major
CT datasets of Broadleysaurus major (AC) from Čerňanský and Syromyatnikova Papers in Palaeontology
CT data include stl 3D model and DICOM files. All can be open with winrar + and Volume Graphic studio and AVIZO.
Ablepharus kitaibelii
CT datasets of Ablepharus kitaibelii SNM St 504 from Čerňanský and Syromyatnikova Papers in Palaeontology
CT data include stl 3D model and DICOM files. All can be open with winrar + and Volume Graphic studio and AVIZO.
Asymblepharus alaicus
CT datasets of Asymblepharus alaicus DJ 3986 from Čerňanský and Syromyatnikova Papers in Palaeontology
CT data include stl 3D model and DICOM files. All can be open with winrar + and Volume Graphic studio and AVIZO.
Chalcides chalcides
CT datasets of Chalcides chalcides SNM 76 from Čerňanský and Syromyatnikova Papers in Palaeontology
CT data include stl 3D model and DICOM files. All can be open with winrar + and Volume Graphic studio and AVIZO.
Scincella reevesii
CT datasets of Scincella reevesii DJ 5206 from Čerňanský and Syromyatnikova Papers in Palaeontology
CT data include stl 3D model and DICOM files. All can be open with winrar + and Volume Graphic studio and AVIZO.
Scincus scincus
CT datasets Scincus scincus SNM 885 from Čerňanský and Syromyatnikova Papers in Palaeontology
CT data include stl 3D model and DICOM files. All can be open with winrar + and Volume Graphic studio and AVIZO.
Tiliqua scincoides
CT datasets of Tiliqua scincoides (AC) from Čerňanský and Syromyatnikova Papers in Palaeontology
CT data include stl 3D model and DICOM files. All can be open with winrar + and Volume Graphic studio and AVIZO.