Scincidae

Scincidae View in CoL ( Fig. 14O–T View Figure 14 )

A subquadrangular orbitonasal flange projection is also present in the prefrontal of scincids ( Fig. 14P, S View Figure 14 ). Like in gekkotans ( Villa et al., 2018a), it is distinctly wider than the posteroventral process, but, in contrast with them, it is shorter than the latter (these differences are less marked in the largest specimens of Chalcides chalcides and Chalcides ocellatus ). Both the dorsal surface of the thin anterodorsal process and the posterolateral surface of the orbitonasal flange are smooth. The posteroventral process is thin and truncated at the end. Its posterolateral projection is moderately large and not clearly individualized ( Fig. 14O–Q View Figure 14 ), except for Chalcides striatus and Tr. aurata , in which it is more easily recognizable ( Fig. 14R–T View Figure 14 ). A deep notch for the lacrimal foramen is present. This notch is particulartly deep in Ab. kitaibelii , in which it is partially covered dorsolaterally by an osseous projection of the bone ( Fig. 14O–Q View Figure 14 ). The dorsal process is slender and slightly shorter than the rest of the bone in lateral view in all species ( Fig. 14R, T View Figure 14 ), except Ab. kitaibelii , in which it can be slightly longer ( Fig. 14O, Q View Figure 14 ). A low ( Ab. kitaibelii , Chalcides and Ophiomorus punctatissimus ; Fig. 14O, Q View Figure 14 ) or sharp ( Tr. aurata ; Fig. 14R, T View Figure 14 ) palpebral crest is visible at its base, except maybe for the prefrontals of Chalcides bedriagai .