A reconsideration of Sphaerodactylus dommeli Bohme, 1984 (Squamata: Gekkota: Sphaerodactylidae), a Miocene lizard in amber

作者：Daza Juan D^*; Bauer Aaron M; Wagner Philipp; Boehme Wolfgang

来源：Journal of Zoological Systematics and Evolutionary Research, 2013, 51(1): 55-63.

DOI：10.1111/jzs.12001

• Fossil
• Anolis
• digital X-rays
• osteology
• anatomy
• Domincan Republic

The Miocene gecko in amber, Sphaerodactylus dommeli, is one of the best-preserved fossil gekkotan species; nonetheless, its identity has been questioned and it has been insinuated to be an iguanian referable to the mega-diverse genus Anolis. In this paper, we provide digital X-rays and new osteological evidence that include 11 characters that reaffirms its placement within the infraorder Gekkota and eight characters that specifically place this fossil within the species-rich genus Sphaerodactylus, in which it was originally described. This contribution seeks to eliminate remaining scepticism about the generic allocation of this species, and to provide a reliable calibration point for ongoing research in squamate phylogenetics, especially for biogeographical studies and molecular dating inference. This contribution also reviews many diagnostic characters for the two genera in question, which is critical for the correct identification of amber-embedded specimens representing the rich Hispaniolan lizard paleocommunity.

• 出版日期2013-2