Eupodophis

Taxobox
name = "Eupodophis"

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fossil_range = Late Cretaceous
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Sauropsida
subclassis = Diapsida
ordo = Squamata
subordo = Serpentes
familia =
genus = "Eupodophis"
species = "E. descouensi"
binomial = "Eupodophis descouensi"
binomial_authority = (Rage & Escuillié, 2000)

"Eupodophis" is an extinct genus of snake from the Late Cretaceous period. The only species (also the type species), "E. descouensi", had two legs, and is a "transitional form" between Cretaceous lizards and limbless snake.cite web | publisher = BBC | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7339508.stm | title = Ancient serpent shows its leg | date = April 10, 2008 |accessmonthday = April 10 | accessyear = 2008]

The fossilized specimen was 85 cm (33.5 in) long and is approximately 92 million years old (Cenomanian). It was found near the al-Nammoura village in Lebanon imprinted in limestone. It was described in 2000. [Rage, J. C. & Escuillié, F. Un nouveau serpent bipède du Cénomanien (Crétacé). Implications phylétiques. C. R. Acad. Sci. Paris Earth Sci. 330, 513–520 (2000)]

The fossil skeleton was analyzed using synchrotron x-rays at the European synchrotron radiation facility in Grenoble, France.cite web |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/main.jhtml?view=DETAILS&grid=&xml=/earth/2008/04/16/scixray116.xml |title=Synchrotron X rays 'see' inside fossils - Telegraph |accessdate=2008-04-16 |format= |work=] cite web |url=http://www.redorbit.com/news/science/1335315/fossilized_snake_with_two_legs_found/ |title=Fossilized Snake With Two Legs Found - Science - redOrbit |accessdate=2008-04-16 |format= |work=] The researchers determined that the hind limb on one skeleton was 0.8 inches long, with an "unmistakable" fibula, tibia and femur. The feature, described as vestigial, was most likely useless to the creature, according to the researchers.

ee also

Other known fossil snakes with legs:
*"Pachyrhachis"
*"Haasiophis"

References

External links

* [http://paleopolis.rediris.es/cg/CG2003_A01_JCR-FE/index_uk.html The Cenomanian: stage of hindlimbed snakes]