Ovoo gurvel

Taxonavigation

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

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

• 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.