6533b86dfe1ef96bd12ca89a

RESEARCH PRODUCT

Skull osteology ofParvilacerta parva, a small-sized lacertid lizard from Asia Minor

subject

description

The skull of the poorly known Asia Minor lacertid lizard Parvilacerta parva is described. In comparison to other palaearctic lacertids, Parvilacerta parva displays several peculiar traits such as a large braincase, a short parietal table, closed post-temporal openings, reduced ossification, or a large lacrimal. Many features are related to the small size of Parvilacerta parva and are of apparently heterochronic nature, as they can also be found in certain ontogenetic stages of other lacertid species. Small size and heterochrony even seem to be factors involved in the less-developed sexual dimorphism of Parvilacerta parva. The described morphology is interpreted to be related to a life history strategy in r-selecting, semiarid environments.