Redescription, taxonomy and phylogenetic relationships of Boavus Marsh, 1871 (Serpentes: Booidea) from the early–middle Eocene of the USA

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dc.contributor.authorOnary, S.
dc.contributor.authorHsiou, A.S.
dc.contributor.authorLee, M.S.Y.
dc.contributor.authorPalci, A.
dc.date.issued2021
dc.description.abstractThe extinct fossil snake Boavus occurs in early–middle Eocene localities in the United States. Four species are currently recognized, but until now, no formal phylogenetic analyses have been conducted to test its relationships within snakes. Here, we provide an osteological redescription and systematic revision of the genus, accompanied by phylogenetic analyses using multiple methods. Based on new morphological information obtained through first-hand observation and published descriptions, differences between Boavus occidentalis, B. agilis and B. affinis can be ascribed to normal intracolumnar vertebral variation, making the latter two junior synonyms of the first species. Our phylogenetic analyses retrieved Boavus within crown-Booidea as an early booid but outside of Boidae. A morphological and molecular analysis of booids, with dense taxon sampling including fossil and living forms, results in a new booid phylogeny. Boavus, along with other fossil booids from Europe (Eoconstrictor, Messelophis, Rieppelophis, Rageryx), suggests that crown-Booidea likely diverged earlier than estimated by some molecular studies (-45.4Ma).
dc.description.statementofresponsibilitySilvio Onarya, Annie S. Hsioua, Michael S. Y. Leeb and Alessandro Palcic
dc.identifier.citationJournal of Systematic Palaeontology, 2021; 19(23):1601-1622
dc.identifier.doi10.1080/14772019.2022.2068386
dc.identifier.issn1477-2019
dc.identifier.issn1478-0941
dc.identifier.orcidPalci, A. [0000-0002-9312-0559]
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/2440/135668
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherInforma UK Limited
dc.relation.granthttp://purl.org/au-research/grants/arc/DP200102328
dc.rights# The Trustees of the Natural History Museum, London 2022. All rights reserved.
dc.source.urihttps://doi.org/10.1080/14772019.2022.2068386
dc.subjectSquamata; Serpentes; Booidea; Boidae; Bridger Formation; Grizzly Buttes
dc.titleRedescription, taxonomy and phylogenetic relationships of Boavus Marsh, 1871 (Serpentes: Booidea) from the early–middle Eocene of the USA
dc.typeJournal article
pubs.publication-statusPublished

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