Helodermoides: Difference between revisions

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'''''Helodermoides''''' is an extinct [[genus]] of [[anguid]] lizards from the [[Oligocene]] of North America. The genus is [[monotypic]], including only the species '''''Helodermoides tuberculatus'''''. ''Helodermoides'' belongs to an extinct subfamily of anguids called [[Glyptosaurinae]]. In addition to many fragmentary bones, several complete skeletons of ''Helodermoides'' are known. Like other glyptosaurines, ''Helodermoides'' was covered in small scale-like bones called [[osteoderm]]s. The osteoderms covering its skull are hexagonal, tightly interlocking, raised, and rounded.<ref name=SA06>{{cite doi|10.1671/0272-4634(2006)26[127:ROTHOP]2.0.CO;2}}</ref>

One fossil of ''Helodermoides'' preserves a fused mass of osteoderms at the tip of a shortened tail, thought to represent healing after the end of the tail fell off. The tail would not have been able to grow back because the osteoderms formed a thick bony cap preventing growth. The ability to lose a tail, called [[autotomy]], is also present in living [[anguid]]s.<ref name=SRM79>{{cite journal |last=Sullivan |first=R.M. |year=1979 |title=Dermal armor pathology in the tail of a specimen of the fossil lizard ''Helodermoides tuberculatus'' |journal=Herpetologica |volume=35 |issue=3 |pages=278-282278–282}}</ref>

==References==

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{{Extinct squamates|A.}}

[[Category: Anguidae]]

{{paleo-lizard-stub}}

[[Category: Prehistoric reptiles of North America]]

[[Category: Oligocene reptiles]]

[[Category: Anguidae]]

{{paleo-lizard-stub}}

[[Category: Prehistoric reptiles of North America]]

[[Category: Oligocene reptiles]]