Platynota

For the genus of moth, see Platynota (moth).

Platynota
Temporal range: Late Cretaceous - Holocene, 94–0 Ma Possible Valanginian record
Sand goanna (Varanus gouldii)
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Anguimorpha
Clade: Platynota
Duméril and Bibron, 1839
Subgroups

Platynota is a polyphyletic group of anguimorph lizards and thus belongs to the order Squamata of the class Reptilia. Since it was named in 1839, it has included several groups, including monitor lizards, snakes, mosasaurs, and helodermatids. Its taxonomic use still varies, as it is sometimes considered equivalent to the group Varanoidea and other times viewed as a distinct group.[1] It is phylogenetically defined as a clade containing Varanidae (the monitor lizards). It also includes many extinct species.

  1. ^ Gao, K.; Norrel, M.A. (1998). "Taxonomic revision of Carusia (Reptilia: Squamata) from the Late Cretaceous of the Gobi Desert and phylogenetic relationships of anguimorphan lizards". American Museum Novitates (3230): 1–51. hdl:2246/3367.