Cladistic analysis of Iguania and a fossil lizard from the late pliocene of northwestern Argentina

Abstract

A fragmentary fossil lizard from Uquía Formation (Late Pliocene), Jujuy Province, Argentina, is described. The material consists of disarticulated cranial bones from the snout and jaw that were part of a microvertebrate fossil assemblage generated by accumulation of predatory birds pellets. The phylogenetic analysis of 396 morphological characters indicates a sister-group relationship between the new taxon and a clade formed by the families Liolaemidae, Leiocephalidae, and Tropiduridae. Its uncertain position and substantial morphological differences justify its placement in a new genus. We present a detailed osteological description of the material, and compare the morphological features with other Iguanoidea. In the context of this new analysis of Iguania, we included Pristiguana brasiliensis, the oldest know iguanian from South America. The results of this analysis support the monophyletic status of Iguanoidea and other groups within Iguania that are named and diagnosed. © 2012 Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles.