M. Hecht and T. LaDuke 1997

Full reference
M. Hecht and T. LaDuke. 1997. Limbless Tetrapods. In R. Kay, R. Madden, R. Cifelli, J. Flynn (eds.), Vertebrate paleontology in the Neotropics. The Miocene fauna of La Venta, Colombia [A. Cárdenas/L. Mora-Rojas]
Metadata
ID number:  62615
Created:  2017-06-30 18:31:19
Publication type:  book chapter
Taxonomy:  stated with evidence
Language:  English
Comments: Tetrapods without limbs are scarce in the fossil record of the Neotropical region, in contrast to the high diversity of these animals today. The whole of the fauna of La Venta is one of the most diverse until now known in the continent. The new material consists mostly of isolated and articulated vertebrae and some cranial elements. Wildlife includes snakes Colombophis portai (Aniliidae), other undetermined Aniliidae, Eunectes Boidae (anaconda), other undetermined Boidae, new material of Colubroidea, and a Scolecophidia. Gymnophiona, the group of amphibians without limbs, is also represented. This La Venta fauna appears to include a rate of aquatic habits and also some indicating humid underground environments.
Taxonomic opinions (4) - view classification
'Aniliidae belongs to Serpentes' according to M. Hecht and T. LaDuke 1997
'Colombophis portai belongs to Colombophis' according to M. Hecht and T. LaDuke 1997
'Eunectes belongs to Boidae' according to M. Hecht and T. LaDuke 1997
'Gymnophiona belongs to Amphibia' according to M. Hecht and T. LaDuke 1997