Borealilysia gunnelli Head 2020 (pipe snake)

Reptilia - Squamata - Aniliidae

Derivation of the name: Species nomen in honor of vertebrate paleontologist Gregg Gunnell for his extensive contributions to the paleontology and geology of the Western Interior Paleogene, and for his mentorship and friendship.

Full reference: J. J. Head. 2020. A South American snake lineage from the Eocene Greenhouse of North America and a reappraisal of the fossil record of “anilioid” snakes. Geobios

Belongs to Borealilysia according to J. J. Head 2020

Sister taxa: Borealilysia carinata, Coniophis platycarinatus

Type specimen: DMNH EVP 57990A, a set of vertebrae (two articulated precloacal vertebrae). Its type locality is DMNH loc. 727 (Gatortown), which is in a Bridgerian terrestrial horizon in the Bridger Formation of Wyoming.

Ecology: fossorial carnivore

Distribution: found only at DMNH loc. 727 (Gatortown)

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Specimen images are retrieved through the ePANDDA API.


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