Publisher © Czech Geological Survey, ISSN: 2336-5757 (online), 0514-8057 (print)
Reinterpretation of supposed lizard discovery (“Lacerta sp.”) in the Bohemian Cretaceous Basin
Abstract
Taxonomie revision of supposed lizard (Lacerta sp.) discovery, described by Zahálka (1895a, b), is reported here. The specimen, representing incomplete vertebral column and jaw fragments, have been found in the viccinity of village Nebužely (ca. 9 km NE from Melník) in the Upper Cretaceous marlstones of the Bohemian Cretaceous Basin (BCB). The detailed osteological study and comparison with recent skeleton of Lacerta viridis proved the discovered specimen is neither lizard, but actually does not rank among amniots. The specimen was identified as teleostean genus Dercetis and is comparable with earlier discovery of Dercetis cf. elongatus in the Late Turonian beds of the BCB and described by Ekrt et al. (2008). The new specimen described here comes from the Coniacian beds and within BCB extends stratigraphic range ofthe genera.
