Scincidae

Scincidae View in CoL ( Figs 31F–J View Figure 31 , 32 View Figure 32 , 33 View Figure 33 , 37N–Q View Figure 37 )

T h e s p h e n o i d o f s c i n c i d s h a s a x e - s h a p e d a n d moderately short basipterygoid processes. The proximal-half of these processes is narrower than the distal one and the difference in width is stronger in Ab. kitaibelii , Ophiomorus punctatissimus and the largest species. Their distal end is narrow, very slightly dorsolaterally concave and mediolaterally tilted at about 30° in anterior view and slightly convex in dorsal view. Except for Ab. kitaibelii ( Fig. 31J View Figure 31 ), each posterolateral corner of the sphenoid has a short and pointed crista ventrolateralis ( Figs 32E, J View Figure 32 , 33E View Figure 33 ). The trabeculae cranii (very poorly developed in Ab. kitaibelii , Tr. aurata and Ophiomorus punctatissimus ; Figs 31I View Figure 31 , 33D View Figure 33 , 37N View Figure 37 ) are not in contact (the only exceptions are Chalcides bedriagai and Ophiomorus punctatissimus ; Fig. 33D View Figure 33 ) and, except for Ophiomorus punctatissimus , they continue posteriorly with low but distinct cristae trabeculares. There is no parasphenoid rostrum. The sella turcica is smooth, but it is covered dorsally by a short ( Ab. kitaibelii , Chalcides chalcides , Chalcides striatus and Ophiomorus punctatissimus ; Figs 31I View Figure 31 , 32D View Figure 32 , 33D View Figure 33 ) or well-developed ( Chalcides ocellatus and Tr. aurata ; Figs 32I View Figure 32 , 37P View Figure 37 ) dorsum sellae. In Chalcides bedriagai the dorsum sellae is not developed. Vertical and laminar supravenous processes are present, as in lacertids. In scincids, they are well developed, but those of Ab. kitaibelii are very narrow ( Fig. 31G View Figure 31 ). The crista prootica seems to merge into them and the anterior openings of the abducens foramina are located on their medial surfaces, together with the posterodorsal end of the cristae trabeculares. The groove for the lateral head vein is shallow and moderately wide. The ridge marking its ventral margin is poorly recognizable in Chalcides chalcides (except for the largest specimen, MDHC 398, in which this feature is more similar to Chalcides ocellatus ), Chalcides striatus and Tr. aurata , whereas in Chalcides ocellatus it is slightly more developed and extends slightly beyond the posterior margin of the process. Ablepharus kitaibelii and Ophiomorus punctatissimus have no clear sign of such a ridge. A shallow sunken area is visible in the middle of the ventral surface of the bone in Chalcides chalcides , Chalcides ocellatus and Tr. aurata ( Fig. 32E, J View Figure 32 ).