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Anguimorpha

Reptilia

Taxonomy
Anguimorpha was named by Fürbringer (1900). It is extant. It was considered monophyletic by Estes et al. (1988), Lee and Caldwell (2000).

It was reranked as the infraorder Anguimorpha by Antunes (1964), Kuhn (1966), Seiffert (1975), Estes (1983), Stritzke (1983), Sullivan (1986), Sullivan (1987), Gao and Hou (1996), Gao and Fox (1996), Páramo-Fonseca (2000), Smith and Habersetzer (2021); it was reranked as the unranked clade Anguimorpha by Estes et al. (1988), Smith (2006), Park et al. (2015), Cernansky et al. (2015), Hamilton et al. (2023).

It was assigned to Sauria by Antunes (1964), Kuhn (1966), Sahni and Srivastava (1976); to Sauria by Estes (1964), Estes and Berberian (1970), Welles and Gregg (1971), Borsuk-Bialynicka (1984); to Scincogekkonomorpha by Gao and Norell (1998); to Lacertilia by Estes (1983), Stritzke (1983), Gao and Hou (1996), Gao and Fox (1996), Páramo-Fonseca (2000); to Lacertilia by Seiffert (1975), Sullivan (1986), Sullivan (1987), Peng et al. (2001); to Scleroglossa by Lee and Caldwell (2000), Evans and Wang (2005); to Autarchoglossa by Estes et al. (1988), Smith (2006); to Toxicofera by Pyron et al. (2013); to Squamata by McDowell and Bogert (1954), Evans (1994), Gao and Nessov (1998), Nydam (2000), Böhme (2010), Cernansky et al. (2015), Stocker and Kirk (2016), Smith and Habersetzer (2021); and to Squamata by Park et al. (2015), Vasilyan and Bukhsianidze (2020), Hamilton et al. (2023).

Synonymy list
YearName and author
1900Anguimorpha Fürbringer
1954Anguinomorpha McDowell and Bogert p. 129
1964Anguimorpha Antunes p. 137
1964Anguimorpha Estes p. 119
1966Anguimorpha Kuhn p. 53
1970Anguimorpha Estes and Berberian p. 5
1971Anguimorpha Welles and Gregg p. 49
1975Anguimorpha Seiffert p. 10
1976Anguimorpha Sahni and Srivastava p. 925
1983Anguimorpha Estes
1983Anguimorpha Stritzke
1984Anguimorpha Borsuk-Bialynicka p. 25
1986Anguimorpha Sullivan p. 109
1987Anguimorpha Sullivan p. 118
1988Anguimorpha Estes et al.
1994Anguimorpha Evans p. 35
1996Anguimorpha Gao and Fox p. 62
1996Anguimorpha Gao and Hou p. 589
1998Anguimorpha Gao and Nessov
1998Anguimorpha Gao and Norell p. 3
2000Anguimorpha Lee and Caldwell
2000Anguimorpha Nydam
2000Anguimorpha Páramo-Fonseca p. 123
2001Anguimorpha Peng et al. p. 28
2005Anguimorpha Evans and Wang p. 725
2006Anguimorpha Smith p. 5
2010Anguimorpha Böhme p. 24
2013Anguimorpha Pyron et al.
2015Anguimorpha Cernansky et al. p. 106
2015Anguimorpha Park et al. p. 293
2016Anguimorpha Stocker and Kirk
2020Anguimorpha Vasilyan and Bukhsianidze
2021Anguimorpha Smith and Habersetzer
2023Anguimorpha Hamilton et al. p. 5

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RankNameAuthor
kingdomAnimalia()
—Bilateria
—EubilateriaAx 1987
—Deuterostomia
phylumChordataHaeckel 1874
subphylumVertebrata
superclassGnathostomata
—Osteichthyes()
subclassSarcopterygii()
subclassDipnotetrapodomorpha(Nelson 2006)
subclassTetrapodomorpha()
RankNameAuthor
—Tetrapoda
—Reptiliomorpha
—Anthracosauria
subclassAmphibiosauriaKuhn 1967
—Cotylosauria()
—Amniota
—Sauropsida
classReptilia
—Squamata()
—Anguimorpha(Fürbringer 1900)
—Anguimorpha(Fürbringer 1900)

If no rank is listed, the taxon is considered an unranked clade in modern classifications. Ranks may be repeated or presented in the wrong order because authors working on different parts of the classification may disagree about how to rank taxa.

Unr. Anguimorpha Fürbringer 1900
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Unr. Anguiformes Bonaparte 1831
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Superfm. †Anguioidea Fitzinger 1826
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Fm. Anguidae Gray 1825
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Subfm. †Anguinae Gray 1825
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Tr. †Anguini Augé 2005
G. Anguis Linnaeus 1758 [slow worm]
G. †Headonhillia Klembara and Green 2010
G. †Ophipseudopus Kuhn 1940
Tr. †Ophisaurini Augé 2005
G. †Ophisauriscus Kühn 1940
+
Invalid names: Parapseudopus Kuhn 1940 [synonym]
G. †Parophisaurus Sullivan 1987
G. Pseudopus Merrem 1820 [legless lizard]
G. †Ragesaurus Bailon and Auge 2012
G. †Smithosaurus Vasilyan et al. 2022
Subfm. Anniellinae Nopcsa 1928
+
G. Anniella Gray 1852 [legless lizard]
G. †Apodosauriscus Gauthier 1982
G. †Bainguis Borsuk-Bialynicka 1984
+
†Bainguis parvus Borsuk-Bialynicka 1984
G. Barisia Gray 1838 [Alligator lizards]
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Barisia imbricata Wiegmann 1828 [Imbricate alligator lizard]
Subfm. †Diploglossinae Boucourt 1873
+
G. Celestus Gray 1838
G. Diploglossus Wiegmann 1828
G. †Eodiploglossus Gauthier 1982
G. Ophiodes Boulenger 1894 [South American worm lizards]
G. Elgaria Gray 1838 [alligator lizard]
+
Elgaria coerulea Wiegmann 1828 [Northern alligator lizard]
Elgaria kingii Gray 1838 [Madrean alligator lizard]
Elgaria multicarinata Blainville 1835 [southern alligator lizard]
Subfm. Gerrhonotinae Cope 1864
+
G. Abronia Gray 1838 [Arboreal alligator lizards]
G. Barissia Gray
G. Coloptychon Peters 1877
G. Gerrhonotus Wiegmann 1828 [alligator lizard]
G. †Paragerrhonotus Estes 1963
Subfm. †Glyptosaurinae Marsh 1872
+
G. †Arpadosaurus Meszoely 1970
G. †Eoglyptosaurus Sullivan 1979
Tr. †Glyptosaurini Sullivan 1979
G. †Glyptosaurus Marsh 1871
G. †Helodermoides Douglass 1903
Tr. †Melanosaurini Sullivan 1979
G. †Melanosaurus Gilmore 1928
G. †Paraglyptosaurus Sullivan 1979
G. †Placosaurus Gervais 1852
G. †Proxestops Gauthier 1982
G. †Sullivania Čerňanský et al. 2023
G. †Xestops Cope 1873
+
Invalid names: Dimetopisaurus Hecht 1959 [synonym], Oreosaurus Marsh 1872 [replaced]
Invalid names: Diacium quinquepedale Cope 1874 [nomen dubium], Placosaurinae Gervais [synonym]
G. †Machaerosaurus Gilmore 1928
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Subfm. †Odaxosaurinae Sullivan 1982
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G. †Parodaxosaurus Sullivan 1986
G. †Odaxosaurus Gilmore 1928
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†Odaxosaurus piger Gilmore 1928
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Invalid names: Odaxosaurus obliquus Gilmore 1928 [synonym]
†Odaxosaurus priscus Gao and Fox 1996
†Odaxosaurus roosevelti Nydam 2013
Invalid names: Pancelosaurus Meszoely 1970 [synonym]
G. †Ophisauromimus Cernansky et al. 2016
+
G. †Rajaurisaurus Sahni and Srivastava 1976
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†Rajaurisaurus estesi Sahni and Srivastava 1976
Invalid names: Xestops lentus Marsh 1872 [nomen dubium], Xestops microdus Marsh 1872 [nomen dubium], Xestops minutus Marsh 1872 [nomen dubium], Xestops piercei Gilmore 1938 [nomen dubium]
Fm. †Dorsetisauridae Hoffstetter 1967
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Subfm. †Changetisaurinae Federov and Nessov 1992
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G. †Changetisaurus Federov and Nessov 1992
G. †Dorsetisaurus Hoffstetter 1967
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†Dorsetisaurus hebetidens Hoffstetter 1967
†Dorsetisaurus purbeckensis Hoffstetter 1967
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Invalid names: Introrsisaurus pollicidens Seiffert 1975 [synonym]
Invalid names: Introrsisaurus Seiffert 1975 [synonym]
G. †Paradorsetisaurus Alifanov 2019
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†Paradorsetisaurus postumus Alifanov 2019
G. †Peltosaurus Cope 1873
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†Peltosaurus floridanus Vanzolini 1952
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Invalid names: Peltosaurus abbotti Gilmore 1928 [synonym]
†Peltosaurus macrodon Brattstrom 1955
Invalid names: Anniellidae [empty], Diploglossa Cope 1864 [objective synonym]
G. †Cnodontosaurus Nydam 2013
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Infraor. Platynota Baur 1890
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G. †Cemeterius Longrich et al. 2012
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†Cemeterius monstrosus Longrich et al. 2012
G. †Colpodontosaurus Estes 1964
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G. †Kaganaias Evans et al. 2006
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†Kaganaias hakusanensis Evans et al. 2006
G. †Litakis Estes 1964
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†Litakis gilmorei Estes 1964
G. †Parasaniwa Gilmore 1928
+
†Parasaniwa cynochoros Nydam 2013
†Parasaniwa wyomingensis Gilmore 1928
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Invalid names: Parasaniwa obtusa Gilmore 1928 [synonym]
G. †Parviderma Borsuk-Bialynicka 1984
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†Parviderma inexacta Borsuk-Bialynicka 1984
Fm. Shinisauridae Ahl 1930
+
+
†Bahndwivici ammoskius Conrad 2006
G. Shinisaurus Ahl 1930 [Chinese crocodile lizard]
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Shinisaurus crocodilurus Ahl 1930 [Chinese crocodile lizard]
Superfm. †Varanoidea Gray 1827
+
G. †Aiolosaurus Gao and Norell 2000
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†Aiolosaurus oriens Gao and Norell 2000
G. †Arcanosaurus Houssaye et al. 2013
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†Arcanosaurus ibericus Houssaye et al. 2013
G. Heloderma Wiegmann 1829 [beaded lizard]
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Heloderma horridum Wiegmann 1829 [Beaded lizard]
Heloderma suspectum Cope 1869 [Gila monster]
†Heloderma texana Stevens 1977
Invalid names: Trachyderma Wiedmann 1829 [replaced]
G. †Judeasaurus Haber and Polcyn 2005
+
†Judeasaurus tchernovi Haber and Polcyn 2005
G. †Ovoo Norell et al. 2007
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†Ovoo gurvel Norell et al. 2007
Fm. †Pachyvaranidae Kuhn 1961
+
G. †Pachyvaranus Arambourg 1952
Subfm. †Saniwinae Camp 1923
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G. †Saniwa Leidy 1870
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Invalid names: Thinosaurus Marsh 1872 [synonym]
Fm. Varanidae Hardwicke and Gray 1824 [monitor lizard]
+
G. †Archaeovaranus Dong et al. 2022
G. †Cherminotus Borsuk-Bialynicka 1984
G. Lanthanotus Steindachner 1877 [earless monitor lizard]
G. †Saniwides Borsuk-Bialynicka 1984
G. †Telmasaurus Gilmore 1943
G. Varanus Merrem 1820
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Invalid names: Iberovaranus Hoffstetter 1969 [synonym], Megalania Owen 1859 [synonym], Notiosaurus Owen 1884 [synonym]
Invalid names: Megalaninae Camp 1923 [empty], Varaninae [empty]
Invalid names: Helodermatidae Gray 1837 [empty], Helodermatoidea Baur 1890 [synonym], Lanthanotidae Steindachner 1878 [empty]
Invalid names: Shinisauria Conrad 2008 [empty]
Superfm. Scincoidae Hay 1930
+
Invalid names: Leposternidae Gray 1844 [empty]
G. †Barlochersaurus Daza et al. 2018
+
†Barlochersaurus winhtini Daza et al. 2018
Superfm. †Carusioidea Gao and Norell 1998
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G. †Dalinghosaurus Ji 1998
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G. †Chometokadmon Costa 1864
+
+
Invalid names: Lacerta brevicauda Costa 1866 [synonym]
G. †Entomophontes Smith and Gauthier 2013
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†Entomophontes hutchisoni Smith and Gauthier 2013
†Entomophontes incrustatus Smith and Gauthier 2013
G. †Merkurosaurus Klembara 2008
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†Merkurosaurus ornatus Klembara 2008
Unr. Monstersauria Norell and Gao 1997
+
G. †Asprosaurus Park et al. 2015
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†Asprosaurus bibongriensis Park et al. 2015
G. †Chianghsia Mo et al. 2012
+
†Chianghsia nankangensis Mo et al. 2012
G. †Estesia Norell et al. 1992
+
†Estesia mongoliensis Norell et al. 1992
G. †Eurheloderma Hoffstetter 1957
+
†Eurheloderma gallicum Hoffstetter 1957
G. †Gobiderma Borsuk-Bialynicka 1984
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†Gobiderma pulchra Borsuk-Bialynicka 1984
G. †Lowesaurus Pregill et al. 1986
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†Lowesaurus matthewi Gilmore 1928
G. †Morohasaurus Ikeda et al. 2022
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†Morohasaurus kamitakiensis Ikeda et al. 2022
G. †Palaeosaniwa Gilmore 1928
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†Palaeosaniwa canadensis Gilmore 1928
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Invalid names: Megasaurus robustus Gilmore 1928 [synonym]
Invalid names: Megasaurus Gilmore 1928 [synonym]
G. †Paraderma Estes 1964
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†Paraderma bogerti Estes 1964
G. †Primaderma Nydam 2000
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†Primaderma nessovi Nydam 2000
Fm. †Necrosauridae Hoffstetter 1943
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G. †Labrodioctes Gao and Fox 1996
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†Labrodioctes montanensis Gao and Fox 1996
Subfm. †Necrosaurinae Hoffstetter 1943
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G. †Melanosauroides Kuhn 1940
G. †Necrosaurus Filhol 1876
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†Necrosaurus cayluxi Filhol 1873
Invalid names: Necrosaurus filholi De Stefano 1903 [nomen dubium]
G. †Proplatynotia Borsuk-Bialynicka 1984
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†Proplatynotia longirostrata Borsuk-Bialynicka 1984
G. †Provaranosaurus Gilmore 1942
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†Provaranosaurus acutus Gilmore 1942
†Provaranosaurus fatuus Smith and Gauthier 2013
Invalid names: Melanosaurinae Gilmore 1928 [empty], Parasaniwidae Estes 1964 [synonym]
Fm. †Palaeovaranidae Georgalis 2017
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G. †Eosaniwa Haubold 1977
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†Eosaniwa koehni Haubold 1977
G. †Palaeovaranus Zittel 1887
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†Palaeovaranus cayluxi Zittel 1887
†Palaeovaranus lismonimenos Georgalis et al. 2021
G. †Paranecrosaurus Smith and Habersetzer 2021
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†Paranecrosaurus feisti Stritzke 1983
Fm. †Paravaranidae Borsuk-Bialynicka 1984
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G. †Paravaranus Borsuk-Bialynicka 1984
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†Paravaranus angustifrons Borsuk-Bialynicka 1984
G. †Restes Gauthier 1982
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†Restes rugosus Gauthier 1982
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Invalid names: Exostinus rugosus Gilmore 1942 [objective synonym]
Fm. Xenosauridae Cope 1866
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G. †Exostinus Cope 1873
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†Exostinus lancensis Gilmore 1928
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Invalid names: Harpagosaurus parvus Gilmore 1928 [synonym], Prionosaurus regularis Gilmore 1928 [synonym]
†Exostinus serratus Cope 1873
Invalid names: Harpagosaurus Gilmore 1928 [synonym], Prionosaurus Gilmore 1928 [synonym]
G. †Nordenosaurus Holman 1973
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†Nordenosaurus magnus Holman 1973
G. †Shestakovia Averianov et al. 2005
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†Shestakovia voronkevichi Averianov et al. 2005
Subfm. Xenosaurinae McDowell and Bogert 1954
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G. Xenosaurus Gray 1856 [American knob-scaled lizards]
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Xenosaurus agrenon King and Thompson 1968
Xenosaurus arboreus King and Thompson 1968 [King's knob-scaled lizard]
Xenosaurus grandis Gray 1856 [Knob-scaled lizard]
Xenosaurus newmanorum Taylor 1949 [Newman's knob-scaled lizard]
Xenosaurus platyceps King and Thompson 1968 [Flathead knob-scaled lizard]
Xenosaurus rackhami Stuart 1941 [Rackham's knob-scaled lizard]
Xenosaurus rectocollaris Smith and Iverson 1993 [Pallid knob-scaled lizard]
G. †Xenostius Alifanov 2019
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†Xenostius futilus Alifanov 2019
Invalid names: Hodzhakuliidae Alifanov 1993 [empty], Varaniformes Conrad 2008 [empty]
Diagnosis
ReferenceDiagnosis
S. B. McDowell and C. M. Bogert 1954Tongue characteristic, with a bifid, inelastic fore portion, set off by at ransverse fold from the elastic hind portion, the hind portion serving as a sheath to the fore tongue when the tongue is retracted; tooth replacement alternate and interdental (the replacement teeth developing between the older, functional teeth and replacing them by anterior rather than upward migration); teeth without basal fossae for replacement teeth; premaxillae fused, but without a median tooth; premaxilla pierced by a foramen; lacrimal present; maxilla firmly united to the surrounding bones; angular distinct, not fused to surrounding jaw elements; Meckelian groove open anterior to the splenial; septomaxilla roofing the organ of Jacobson.
Measurements
No measurements are available
Composition: phosphaticsubp
Maximum body mass: 10 kgg
Minimum body mass: 1 kgg
Environment: terrestrialuc
Locomotion: actively mobilec
Created: 2017-04-17 15:15:35
Modified: 2017-04-17 15:15:35
Source: g = genus, c = class, subp = subphylum, uc = unranked clade
References: Head 2005, Hendy et al. 2009, Carroll 1988

Age range

Maximum range based only on fossils: base of the Ludlow to the top of the Holocene or 427.40000 to 0.00000 Ma
Minimum age of oldest fossil (stem group age): 423.0 Ma

Collections (1079 total)

Oldest occurrences

Time interval Ma Country or state Original ID and collection number
Ludlow427.4 - 423.0United Kingdom (Wales) Keilorites sp. (74805)
Late/Upper Bathonian167.7 - 164.7United Kingdom (England) Anguimorpha indet. (39075)
Late/Upper Bathonian167.7 - 164.7Kyrgyzstan (Jalal-Abad) Changetisaurus estesi (58187)
Kimmeridgian157.3 - 152.1Portugal (Leiria) Introrsisaurus pollicidens (24563)
Kimmeridgian - Tithonian157.3 - 145.0USA (Wyoming) Dorsetisaurus sp. (12816 39431)
Kimmeridgian - Tithonian157.3 - 145.0USA (Colorado) Dorsetisaurus sp. (231533)
Tithonian152.1 - 145.0USA (Colorado) Anguimorpha indet. (58811) Dorsetisaurus sp., Anguimorpha indet. (53040)
Tithonian152.1 - 145.0USA (Wyoming) Dorsetisaurus sp. (39426)
Early/Lower Tithonian150.8 - 145.0USA (Colorado) Dorsetisaurus sp. (71476)
Early/Lower Berriasian - Middle Berriasian145.0 - 140.2United Kingdom (England) Dorsetisaurus sp. (28401 28995)
Middle Berriasian145.0 - 140.2United Kingdom (England) Dorsetisaurus purbeckensis, Dorsetisaurus hebetidens (72142) Dorsetisaurus sp. (52312)
Valanginian - Barremian139.8 - 125.0Mongolia (Ovorhangai) Dorsetisauridae indet. (55238)
Late/Upper Hauterivian136.4 - 130.0United Kingdom (England) Dorsetisaurus sp. (62637)
Late/Upper Hauterivian - Aptian136.4 - 113.0Japan (Gifu) Anguimorpha indet. (50310)
Late/Upper Barremian - Early/Lower Aptian130.0 - 122.46China (Liaoning) Dalinghosaurus longidigitus (13937 52888 53493 117415)
Late/Upper Barremian - Early/Lower Aptian130.0 - 122.46Spain (Castilla y Leon) Arcanosaurus ibericus (138027)
Barremian129.4 - 125.0Japan (Ishikawa) Anguimorpha indet. (32324) Squamata indet. (50357)
Barremian - Aptian129.4 - 113.0Russian Federation (Krasnoyarsk) Shestakovia voronkevichi (53148)
Aptian125.0 - 113.0Russian Federation (Kemerovo) Xenosauridae indet. (39680)
Late/Upper Aptian122.46 - 113.0USA (Texas) Anguidae indet. (14408)