Scincidae

Scincidae View in CoL ( Fig. 22J–U View Figure 22 )

In scincids, the general shape of the quadrate resembles that of the ones of lacertids, with a straight and subrectangular aspect in anterior view and a rounded outline in medial view. The quadrates of Ab. kitaibelii , Chalcides chalcides , Chalcides striatus and Ophiomorus punctatissimus are narrow in anterior view ( Fig. 22J, K, P, Q View Figure 22 ), whereas those of Chalcides ocellatus and Tr. aurata are wider ( Fig. 22M, N, S, T View Figure 22 ). The former species have a hint of the medial lamina, but the pterygoid flange is absent. The medial lamina, on the other hand, is moderately developed in Tr. aurata ( Fig. 22S, T View Figure 22 ) and well developed in Chalcides ocellatus ( Fig. 22M, N View Figure 22 ), but still without a pterygoid flange. Ophiomorus punctatissimus displays a low lateral lamina, which is less developed than in other species and does not originate a deep conch ( Fig. 22P, Q View Figure 22 ). An anterodorsally convex osseous swelling is present on the dorsal-half of the lateral lamina in Chalcides ocellatus and Ophiomorus punctatissimus ( Fig. 22M, O, P, R View Figure 22 ). In the former species, a low ridge runs in the dorsoventral direction medially to the swelling ( Fig. 22M View Figure 22 ), ending at the middle of the height of the bone. Both the swelling and the ridge are less developed in smaller specimens of Chalcides ocellatus . When it is well developed, the ventral margin of the swelling overhangs anteriorly. These structures are absent in the other species, whose anterior surface is smooth. Except for Ophiomorus punctatissimus , the cephalic condyle is slightly expanded to the sides. On the other hand, in Ophiomorus punctatissimus the condyle is strongly expanded posteroventrally, giving a strongly posteriorly concave shape to the quadrate ( Fig. 22R View Figure 22 ). The mandibular condyle presents similar-sized portions in all species. The presence of a squamosal notch and the degree of completeness of the foramen for the chorda tympani nerve are similar to the lacertid scheme, with a very large and deep squamosal notch present in juveniles and adults of smaller species (e.g. Chalcides chalcides and Chalcides striatus ) and a completely recognizable foramen in adults of larger ones (e.g. Chalcides ocellatus ). However, Ab. kitabelii and Ophiomorus punctatissimus are exceptions, because they can have a closed foramen, despite representing very small species. Maximum length is given in the Supporting Information 4.