Annotated catalogue of marine squamates (Reptilia) from the Upper Cretaceous of northeastern Mexico

M.-C. Buchy; K.T. Smith; E. Frey; W. Stinnesbeck; A.H. González González; C. Ifrim; J.G. López-Oliva; H. Porras-Muzquiz

doi:10.1017/S0016774600020977

M.-C. Buchy Universität Karlsruhe, Geologisches Institut, Postfach 6980, D-76128 Karlsruhe, Germany; current address: Geowissenschaftliche Abteilung, Staatliches Museum für Naturkunde, Erbprinzenstrasse 13, D-76133 Karlsruhe, Germany
K.T. Smith Department of Geology and Geophysics, Yale University, P.O. Box 208109, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8109, USA
E. Frey Geowissenschaftliche Abteilung, Staatliches Museum für Naturkunde, Erbprinzenstrasse 13, D-76133 Karlsruhe, Germany
W. Stinnesbeck Universität Karlsruhe, Geologisches Institut, Postfach 6980, D-76128 Karlsruhe, Germany
A.H. González González Museo del Desierto, Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico
C. Ifrim Universität Karlsruhe, Geologisches Institut, Postfach 6980, D-76128 Karlsruhe, Germany
J.G. López-Oliva Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Facultad de Ciencias de la Tierra, Linares, Nuevo León, Mexico
H. Porras-Muzquiz Museo Historico de Múzquiz, Múzquiz, Coahuila, Mexico

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0016774600020977

Keywords: Mosasauridae, Aigialosauridae, Upper Cretaceous, Mexico, catalogue

Abstract

Recent work in the Upper Cretaceous of northeastern Mexico has produced a diversity of vertebrate remains. For specimens referable to Squamata, both old and new, an annotated catalogue is here provided, wherein are summarised the geological context and morphological features of each specimen. All specimens appear to represent marine squamates, including an aigialosaur-like reptile preserving integumentary structures, several vertebrae possibly representing mosasauroids, the first Mexican mosasaur known from significant cranial material, an isolated mosasaur mandibular fragment, and the holotype of Amphekepubis johnsoni (considered to belong to Mosasaurus). These discoveries are auspicious and should deepen our understanding of palaeobiogeographic and evolutionary patterns