Editorial Type:
Article Category: Research Article
 | 
Online Publication Date: 01 Feb 2002

Vertebral Intercentra in Lacertidae: Variation and Phylogenetic Implications

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Page Range: 208 – 212
DOI: 10.1643/0045-8511(2002)002[0208:VIILVA]2.0.CO;2
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Abstract

The existence of both interspecific and intraspecific morphological and anatomical variation in vertebral intercentra is described for the first time in Lacertidae. A sample of 380 cleared-and-stained specimens of 12 species of lacertid lizards reveals also the presence of thoracolumbar intercentra in Lacertidae, a condition previously reported within Squamata only for the families Xantusiidae and Gekkonidae. The significance of these findings in the context of phylogenetic analyses within Squamata is discussed.

Copyright: The American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists
 Fig. 1. 
 Fig. 1. 

Drawing representing a ventral view of the vertebral column of the specimen UAM.R.Q-43 showing morphology of intercentra 2 to 8

 Fig. 2. 
 Fig. 2. 

Photograph of the vertebral column (ventral view) of the specimen UAM.R.Q-43 showing morphology and distribution of intercentra 8 to 10

 Fig. 3. 
 Fig. 3. 

Drawing representing a ventral view of the vertebral column of the specimen UAM.R.Q-43 showing morphology and distribution of intercentra 10 to 14

 Fig. 4. 
 Fig. 4. 

Drawing of the vertebral column (ventral view) of the specimen UAM.R.Q-43 showing morphology and distribution of intercentra 25 to 29

Accepted: 08 Jun 2001
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