Английская Википедия:Archaeovaranus

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Шаблон:Short description Шаблон:Speciesbox

Archaeovaranus (meaning "ancient Varanus") is genus of varanid lizard from the early Eocene (Ypresian) Yuhuangding Formation of Hubei Province, China. The genus contains a single species, Archaeovaranus lii, known from a nearly complete skeleton. The holotype, which includes an intact skull, is associated but disarticulated. Archaeovaranus fills a gap in the varanid fossil record, as it represents a stem-varanid from the early Eocene of East Asia, and is the closest known relative of Varanus.[1]

Discovery and naming

The holotype specimen of Archaeovaranus, IVPP V 22770, was discovered at the Dajian locality of the Yuhuangding Formation near Danjiangkou, Hubei Province, China.[1]

The generic name, "Archaeovaranus," combines the Greek "archaīos," meaning "ancient," with a reference to the closely related Varanus.[1] "Varanus" is derived from the Arabic "waral," meaning "lizard beast."[2] The specific name, "lii," honors the paleontologist Chuankui Li, whose research included studies of the Archaeovaranus type locality.[1]

Description

The holotype specimen represents an adult individual, around 16 years old at the time of death. However, a lack of fusion at the distal ends of the humerus and femur suggest that the individual was still growing. The body size is approximately equivalent to Varanus salvator.[1]

Taxonomy

Archaeovaranus was found in the study to be the closest known relative of modern monitor lizards belonging to the genus Varanus.[1]

Cladogram after Dong et al. 2022.[1]Шаблон:Clade

Paleoecology

The mammals Rhombomylus, Advenimus, Asiocoryphodon and Danjiangia are also known from layers of the Yuhuangding Formation.[1]

References

Шаблон:Reflist

Шаблон:Extinct squamates

Шаблон:Taxonbar