| Lacertulus | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Clade: | Lepidosauromorpha (?) |
| Genus: | †Lacertulus Carroll & Thompson, 1982 |
| Type species | |
| †Lacertulus bipes Carroll & Thompson, 1982 | |
Lacertulus is anextinctgenus oflizard-like reptile,[1] possibly alepidosauromorph,[2] from theKaroo Supergroup ofSouth Africa.[1] It contains a single species,Lacertulus bipes, which is based on a small articulated skeleton stored in theTransvaal Museum inPretoria.[1] The origin and locality of the specimen is unknown,[2] though it is embedded in a greenish-graysiltstone similar to some sediments from theLate PermianDaptocephalus Assemblage Zone.[1] The skeleton is mostly complete apart from thedistal part of the tail, but erosion and improper preparation has damaged the skull and parts of the torso. Though originally described as alepidosaur,[1] poor preservation has lent doubt to this conclusion.[2]Lacertulus is notable for its small size (around 5 cm or 2.0 inches insnout-vent length) and proportionally small forelimbs relative to the large and well-ossified hindlimbs. The shorthumerus in particular suggests that it was capable of some degree of bipedal locomotion when escaping predators, by comparison to modernfacultatively bipedal lizards such asCrotaphytus (collared lizards).[1][3]
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