Lizards of the Family Temujiniidae (Iguanomorpha): Finds from the Aptian–Albian of Mongolia, Classification and Geographical Origin

Abstract

The frontals belonging to the lizard family Temujiniidae from the Aptian–Albian of the Khobur vertebrate locality (Mongolia) are described. This taxon is an extinct and morphologically deviating lineage of the microorder Iguanomorpha (Iguanidae sensu lato). Its extant forms are represented by a series of families, which are classified in the present study as the superfamilies Phrynosomatoidea, Corytophanoidea, and Iguanoidea. The specimens from the Khobur locality suggest that the origin of Temujiniidae is connected with Central Asia and the initial distribution of Iguanomorpha as a whole, with northern continents.