Scincidae

Scincidae View in CoL ( Fig. 25G–J View Figure 25 )

Scincids have a septomaxilla that is morphologically similar to the one of lacertids, but lacks the anteroventral expansion of the anterior end. A small ventral expansion is present on the posterior margin in Chalcides ( Fig. 25I, J View Figure 25 ). Moreover, in scincids the posterolateral process is usually more rounded than in lacertids. The same process is more developed in Chalcides ocellatus ( Fig. 25I, J View Figure 25 ) than in Ab. kitaibelii , Chalcides chalcides , Chalcides striatus and Ophiomorus punctatissimus ( Fig. 25G, H View Figure 25 ). Another difference with the septomaxilla of lacertids is the greater development in the posterior direction of the dorsally developed ridge of the medial margin, which reaches the long posteromedial process in Chalcides ocellatus ( Fig. 25I View Figure 25 ), but this is not true for Ab. kitaibelii ( Fig. 25G View Figure 25 ). On the ventral surface, a low and arched ridge runs along the anterior and lateral margins of the bone. Near the anteromedial corner of the bone, this ridge forks.