Dear all,
I prefer to not enter in the discussion about the “new” species of RH. I think that is better to not think in them seriously and just read the names and enjoy
I´d wish to discuss in the forum about the new Squamata classification. Maybe you discuss about this in last months/years, but I didn´t see it...
As many of you know, in the last 10 years many DNA analysis have shown that legs are not so important in reptiles, and the traditional classification in Sauria (including geckos, lizards, monitors, etc…), amphisbaenians and snakes is not correct and totally far of the real classification of Squamata.
Based on these analysis, there is a big group composed by the geckos (Gekkota), a big group with true lizards and amphisbaenians (Lacertidae), a big group of chamaleons, agamids and iguanians (Iguania), a big group including all skinks (Scincoidea or Scincomorpha fide Pyron et al., 2013 or Hedges 2014), a big group with glass lizars and monitors (Anguimorpha) and another big group with the snakes (Serpentes).
Although the analysis seems quite clear I can see that not everbody follow it. For example in reptiledatabase, they continue considering Amphisbaenia a own order different to Lacertidae. Leaving apart the question of the venom glands as important factor in the division of Squamata (the Toxicofera hyphotesis), what do you think about this classification? Do you think that we have enough scientifical support to consider that for example Podarcis and Blanus must be grouped in a same “clade”?
With Jeroen in the forum, it has been a strong tentation to try to open the discussion. Maybe is boring for many people, in that case, I´m sorry. For me it´s amazing to try to know the origin of our herps and relations between them!
Cheers
PD: I attach some comparative pictures to show how strange is the evolutive convergence!