Chthonophis

Sif-on-off-iss.
By Emily Green
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Emily Green

Paleobotanist

Emily Green brings the ancient world of plants to life through her insightful research and engaging writing. Her expertise lies in examining how prehistoric vegetation influenced climate patterns and animal evolution.

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Green, E. (2014, December 21). Chthonophis. Prehistoric-wildlife. https://www.prehistoric-wildlife.com/species/chthonophis/

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Name

Chthonophis‭(‬Beneath the earth snake‭)‬.

Phonetic

Sif-on-off-iss.

Named By

N.‭ ‬R.‭ ‬Longrich,‭ ‬J.‭ ‬Vinther,‭ ‬R.‭ ‬A.‭ ‬Pyron,‭ ‬D.‭ ‬Pisani‭ & ‬J.‭ ‬A.‭ ‬Gauthier‭ ‬-‭ ‬2015.

Classification

Chordata,‭ ‬Reptilia,‭ ‬Squamata,‭ ‬Chthonophidae.

Diet

Uncertain.

Species

C.‭ ‬subterraneus‭

Size

Unknown due to lack of remains.

Known locations

USA,‭ ‬Montana‭ ‬-‭ ‬Fort Union Formation‭?

Time Period

Paleocene.

Fossil representation

Partial lower jaw that seems to have been partially digested.

In Depth

       Although known only from a partial jaw,‭ ‬Chthonophis may represent one of the earliest appearances of an Amphisbaenia lizard.‭ ‬Also known as worm lizards,‭ ‬amphisbaenians are lizards that have lost limbs giving them a superficial resemblance to snakes,‭ ‬although even a basic study of them will reveal several clear differences.

Further Reading

-‭ ‬Biogeography of worm lizards‭ (‬Amphisbaenia‭) ‬driven by end-Cretaceous mass extinction.‭ ‬-‭ ‬Proceedings of the Royal Society,‭ ‬B‭ ‬282:20143034.‭ ‬-‭ ‬N.‭ ‬R.‭ ‬Longrich,‭ ‬J.‭ ‬Vinther,‭ ‬R.‭ ‬A.‭ ‬Pyron,‭ ‬D.‭ ‬Pisani‭ & ‬J.‭ ‬A.‭ ‬Gauthier‭ ‬-‭ ‬2015.

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