DIAGNOSES OF MONOPHYLETIC GROUPS 



OF IGUANINES 



In this section I provide discussions of the monophyletic groups of iguanines at and above 

 the level of the basic taxa used in this study (traditional genera). For each taxon I include: 

 (1) the type on which the taxon is based, (2) the etymology of the name, (3) a phylogenetic 

 definition (de Queiroz, 1987; Gauthier et al, 1988), (4) the current distribution, (5) a 

 diagnosis consisting of hypothesized synapomorphies, (6) fossil records, and (7) various 

 comments. Synonyms are not provided; those of the basic taxa can be found in Etheridge 

 (1982). 



Iguaninae Bell 1825 



Type genus: Iguana Laurenti 1768. 



Etymology: Modification of Iguana, the name of its type genus. 



Definition: The most recent common ancestor of Brachylophus, Dipsosaunis, and 

 Iguanini, and aU of its descendants. 



Distribution: Southwestern United States southward through Mexico, Central America, 

 and northern South America to southern Brazil and Paraguay; the West Indies; the 

 Galapagos Islands; lies Wallis; and the Fiji and Tonga island groups. 



Diagnosis: Iguanines are moderate to large iguanians that can be distinguished from 

 other iguanians by the following synapomorphies: 



1. Vertebrae in part of caudal sequence bear two pairs of transverse processes 

 (Etheridge, 1967). 



2. Transverse colic folds or valves present (Iverson, 1980, 1982). 



3. Crowns of posterior marginal teeth laterally compressed, anteroposteriorly flared, 

 often with four or more cusps (Etheridge, 1964a). 



4. Supratemporal lies primarily on posteromedial surface of supratemporal process of 

 parietal. 



5. Herbivorous (H. M. Smith, 1946; Iverson, 1982). 



Fossil record: The diagnosis and description of iguanines presented here enable me to 

 reject the possible iguanine relationships of certain fossil taxa. In their description of 



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