Squamate finding in “Lo Hueco” (Late Campanian-Early Maastrichtian, Cuenca Province, Spain): the second non-marine pythonomorph lizard

Abstract

Two squamate vertebrae were discovered in the site of “Lo Hueco” (Cuenca, Spain; Late Campanian-Early Maastrichtian), which has yielded a rich and diversified fossil fauna. Their anatomical and microanatomical features are described. They reveal that these vertebrae probably belong to a new genus of Pythonomorpha. This taxon corresponds to the second non-marine pythonomorph lizard hitherto described. Anatomical, microanatomical and sedimentological data suggest a terrestrial or amphibious mode of life. This discovery raises questions about the evolutionary history of pythonomorph lizards in non-marine deposits.