Taxonavigation

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Taxonavigation: Paleoanguimorpha 

Superregnum: Eukaryota
Cladus: Unikonta
Cladus: Opisthokonta
Cladus: Holozoa
Regnum: Animalia
Subregnum: Eumetazoa
Cladus: Bilateria
Cladus: Nephrozoa
Superphylum: Deuterostomia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Infraphylum: Gnathostomata
Megaclassis: Osteichthyes
Cladus: Sarcopterygii
Cladus: Rhipidistia
Cladus: Tetrapodomorpha
Cladus: Eotetrapodiformes
Cladus: Elpistostegalia
Superclassis: Tetrapoda
Cladus: Reptiliomorpha
Cladus: Amniota
Classis: Reptilia
Cladus: Eureptilia
Cladus: Romeriida
Subclassis: Diapsida
Cladus: Sauria
Infraclassis: Lepidosauromorpha
Superordo: Lepidosauria
Ordo: Squamata
Cladus: Unidentata, Episquamata
Cladus: Toxicofera
Subordo: Anguimorpha
Infraordo: Paleoanguimorpha

Superfamilia: Varanoidea
Familia: Varanidae
Genus: †Ovoo
Species: O. gurvel

Name

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Ovoo gurvel Norell, Gao & Conrad, 2008

Holotype: IGM 3/767, well-preserved partial skull with the braincase and mandibles missing.
Type locality: Little Ukhaa Tolgod Nemegt Basin, Mongolian Gobi Desert; Upper Cretaceous Djadokhta Formation (Loope et al., 1998).
Etymology: Ovoo- is from Mongolian ovoo (pronunciation: o-boe), meaning ‘‘a heap or cairn’’ (fig. 3). A remnant of the pre-Buddhist religion of Mongolia, these cairns are said to be inhabited by local spirits. Occasionally they are also way points and navigational aids along old caravan routes and, more recently, roads. Ovoos are venerated by Mongols and are worshipped by circling them clockwise three times and adding offerings in the form of rocks, prayer-flags, money and even vodka bottles. Gurvel- derives from the Mongolian word for lizard.

References

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  • Mark A. Norell, Ke-Qin Gao & Jack Conrad, 2008: A New Platynotan Lizard (Diapsida: Squamata) from the Late Cretaceous Gobi Desert (Ömnögov), Mongolia. American Museum novitates, 3605: 1–22, 7 figures. PDF.