AROD > Reptiles / Squamata
Squamata - Snakes and lizards
Etymology: | 'Scaled-ones' | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Notes: | Traditionally, Squamata has been divided into snakes (Serpentes or Ophidia) and lizards (Sauria or Lacertilia). This grouping suggests that snakes and lizards diverged from a common ancestor at some stage. Our current understanding is that snakes evolved from early goannas about 150 million years ago. As such, snakes should be positioned as a sub-group within Varanidae. AROD uses the traditional grouping, as that is the one with which most people are familiar. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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