Taxonomy and phylogeny of Polyglyphanodontia (Squamata): a comprehensive review
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Abstract:
Polyglyphanodontia (Squamata) were widely distributed and represent one of the dominant squamate groups during the Late Cretaceous, exhibiting significant variation in both body size and morphology. Their dental morphologies are particularly diverse, featuring some unique tooth types among squamates, such as the transverse chisel-shaped teeth of Polyglyphanodon and the mammalian molar-like multicuspid teeth of Peneteius. Notably, this highly successful squamate group went extinct together with dinosaurs, pterosaurs, and mosasaurs (Squamata) at the end of the Cretaceous. Recently, scientific interest in polyglyphanodontians has grown, driven by an increasing number of fossil discoveries worldwide. Despite the identification of more than 60 species and the availability of well-preserved fossil materials, controversies remain unresolved regarding their taxonomy, intra-relationships within Polyglyphanodontia, and the phylogenetic position of the group within squamates. These uncertainties stem from their mosaic morphological features, simplistic descriptions, and incomplete or inadequate illustrations of fossils in some early studies. The purpose of this study is to comprehensively review the species previously reported as polyglyphan odontians, examine the taxonomic history and phylogenetic hypotheses of the group, clarify the definition of the clade Polyglyphanodontia, and summarize its morphological diversity.
