Elapidae Boié, 1827
|
publication ID |
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13358-024-00332-7 |
|
persistent identifier |
https://treatment.plazi.org/id/E86287BF-FFAD-FFBB-BA71-A5AEFD94FBC4 |
|
treatment provided by |
Felipe |
|
scientific name |
Elapidae Boié, 1827 |
| status |
|
Elapidae Boié, 1827 View in CoL
Elapidae gen. et sp. indet. (small form)
Figure 59 View Fig
Material. Spilia 4: one trunk vertebra ( UU SP4 537).
Description.
Te vertebra (UU SP4 537) is small and incomplete, missing most of the right prezygapophysis and postzygapophysis and parts of the neural spine, the zygosphene, and the left prezygapophyseal accessory process ( Fig. 59 View Fig ). In anterior view ( Fig. 59a View Fig ), the zygosphene is thin and moderately arched. Te neural canal is large. Te prezygapophyses are only slightly dorsally inclined. Te cotyle is large; its precise outline cannot be assessed as it is damaged. A paracotylar foramen is visible next to the right side of the cotyle. In posterior view ( Fig. 59b View Fig ), the neural arch is depressed, with a vaulting ratio (sensu Georgalis et al., 2021b) equal to 0.25. Te condyle is elliptical and slightly laterally compressed. In lateral view ( Fig. 59c View Fig ), the neural spine commences to rise in height slightly posterior to the zygosphenal facets. Te neural spine is not well preserved and its original height cannot be precisely assessed; nevertheless, the thin base of the neural spine in dorsal view indicates that the neural spine was originally most probably very low in lateral view. Te zygosphenal facets are narrowly elliptical. A large and deep lateral foramen is situated below the relatively straight interzygapophyseal ridge. Te subcentral ridges are convex. Te hypapophysis runs below most of the centrum but its height (slightly) augments only towards its posterior termination; its distal tip extends to the condylar base. Even at this maximum height, the hypapophysis is still rather short, still projecting more posteriorly than ventrally. In dorsal view ( Fig. 59d View Fig ), the neural spine is thin and runs throughout about 3/4 of the midline of the neural arch. Te (sole preserved) left prezygapophysis is projecting anterolaterally. Te interzygapophyseal constriction is deep. Te posterior median notch of the neural arch is relatively deep. In ventral view ( Fig. 59e View Fig ), the centrum is elongated. Te subcentral grooves are deep. Te hypapophysis is thin, commencing anteriorly right below the ventral level of the cotyle and terminating posteriorly at the level of the condyle. Te postzygapophyses extend posterolaterally. Te postzygapophyseal articular facets are oval and elongated. A precondylar constriction is present, with the condyle developed at a distinct condylar neck.
Remarks. Te trunk vertebra (UU SP4 537) can be attributed to a small-sized elapid (coral snakes) on the basis of its relatively small dimensions (centrum length), its elongated vertebral centrum, and the dorsoventrally short hypapophysis that is directed more posteriorly than ventrally (Ivanov, 2002; Zaher et al., 2019). It appears that there are some differences between the Spilia coral snake and Micrurus Wagler, 1824 , which is also known from the Neogene of Europe (see Discussion below), as the latter is characterized by a longer hypapophysis and a low but well developed neural spine, compared to the Greek form (see figures in Camolez & Zaher, 2010; Escobar et al., 2024; Ivanov & Böhme, 2011; Onary et al., 2018; Rage & Holman, 1984; Zaher et al., 2019). In fact, the Spilia specimen appears to be overall similar to the small indeterminate Elapidae that has been described from Merkur-North, Czechia (Ivanov, 2002).
| UU |
University of Uppsala |
No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.