Brasiliguana
Encyclopedia
Brasiliguana is a genus
of iguania
n lizard
which lived during the late Cretaceous
period (Turonian
to Santonian
stage) in what is now Brazil
. It is known from the holotype
MN
7230-V, an isolated left maxilla
with partially preserved teeth, which was found in the Upper Cretaceous Adamantina Formation
, part of the Bauru Group
of São Paulo State, southeast Brazil
. Brasiliguana was named by William R. Nava and Agustín G. Martinelli in 2011
and the type species
is Brasiliguana prudentis. The generic name refers to its provenance from the Late Cretaceous of Brazil and iguana, from the South American and Caribbean aboriginal language meaning "lizard". The specific name, Prudentis, refers to Presidente Prudente
Municipality, where the holotype was found.
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
of iguania
Iguania
Iguania is the suborder of Squamata that contains the iguanas, chameleons, agamids, and "New World lizards" such as anoles and Phrynosomatidae...
n lizard
Lizard
Lizards are a widespread group of squamate reptiles, with nearly 3800 species, ranging across all continents except Antarctica as well as most oceanic island chains...
which lived during the late Cretaceous
Cretaceous
The Cretaceous , derived from the Latin "creta" , usually abbreviated K for its German translation Kreide , is a geologic period and system from circa to million years ago. In the geologic timescale, the Cretaceous follows the Jurassic period and is followed by the Paleogene period of the...
period (Turonian
Turonian
The Turonian is, in the ICS' geologic timescale, the second age in the Late Cretaceous epoch, or a stage in the Upper Cretaceous series. It spans the time between 93.5 ± 0.8 Ma and 89.3 ± 1 Ma...
to Santonian
Santonian
The Santonian is an age in the geologic timescale or a chronostratigraphic stage. It is a subdivision of the Late Cretaceous epoch or Upper Cretaceous series. It spans the time between 85.8 ± 0.7 mya and 83.5 ± 0.7 mya...
stage) in what is now Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
. It is known from the holotype
Holotype
A holotype is a single physical example of an organism, known to have been used when the species was formally described. It is either the single such physical example or one of several such, but explicitly designated as the holotype...
MN
National Museum of Brazil
The National Museum of Brazil is a centenarian museum and research institution, located in the Quinta da Boa Vista park in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.-History:...
7230-V, an isolated left maxilla
Maxilla
The maxilla is a fusion of two bones along the palatal fissure that form the upper jaw. This is similar to the mandible , which is also a fusion of two halves at the mental symphysis. Sometimes The maxilla (plural: maxillae) is a fusion of two bones along the palatal fissure that form the upper...
with partially preserved teeth, which was found in the Upper Cretaceous Adamantina Formation
Adamantina Formation
The Adamantina Formation is a geological formation in Brazil whose strata date back to the Late Cretaceous. Dinosaur remains are among the fossils that have been recovered from the formation...
, part of the Bauru Group
Bauru Group
The Bauru Group is a geological formation in Brazil whose strata date back to the Late Cretaceous. Dinosaur remains are among the fossils that have been recovered from the formation. The Bauru Group was divided by Fernandes and Coimbra in four formations,namely Adamantina, Uberaba Araçatuba and...
of São Paulo State, southeast Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
. Brasiliguana was named by William R. Nava and Agustín G. Martinelli in 2011
2011 in paleontology
-Lobopods:-Arachnids:-Insects:-Newly named jawless vertebrates:-Newly named acanthodian:-Newly named cartilaginous fishes:-Newly named bony fishes:-Newly named lepospondyls:-Newly named temnospondyls:-Newly named lissamphibians:...
and the type species
Type species
In biological nomenclature, a type species is both a concept and a practical system which is used in the classification and nomenclature of animals and plants. The value of a "type species" lies in the fact that it makes clear what is meant by a particular genus name. A type species is the species...
is Brasiliguana prudentis. The generic name refers to its provenance from the Late Cretaceous of Brazil and iguana, from the South American and Caribbean aboriginal language meaning "lizard". The specific name, Prudentis, refers to Presidente Prudente
Presidente Prudente
Presidente Prudente is a municipality in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. The city has a population of 207,610 inhabitants and area of 562.8 km². The city is named after president Prudente de Morais. Prudente is located 558 km from the city of São Paulo.Presidente Prudente is considered the...
Municipality, where the holotype was found.