Agamidae

Agamidae View in CoL View at ENA ( Fig. 21A, B View Figure 21 )

The quadrate of Laudakia stellio is quadrangular and mediolaterally expanded in anterior view. The conch is not strongly concave ( Fig. 21B View Figure 21 ), because the well-developed lateral lamina bends posteriorly only in its dorsal part. A very well-developed medial lamina is present, but it is more expanded in its dorsal portion. In juveniles, only the latter portion of the medial lamina is visible. In posterior view, the mandibular condyle is larger than the cephalic one and so the pillar resembles an elongated triangle ( Fig. 21B View Figure 21 ). The cephalic condyle is expanded in an anteromedial to posterolateral direction and presents a rectangular, elongated and flattened articular surface dorsally ( Fig. 21B View Figure 21 ). The medial portion of the mandibular condyle is more developed than the lateral one. A large and deep squamosal notch is present laterally to the cephalic condyle and thus the foramen for the chorda tympani nerve is not visible. The maximum length of the quadrate ranges from 2 mm to 6 mm.