A new early Late Oligocene (MP 26) continental vertebrate fauna from Saint-Privat-des-Vieux (Alès Basin, Gard, Southern France) Author Vianey-Liaud, Monique Author Comte, Bernard Author Marandat, Bernard Author Peigné, Stéphane Author Rage, Jean-Claude Author Sudre, Jean text Geodiversitas 2014 2014-12-26 36 4 565 622 http://dx.doi.org/10.5252/g2014n4a4 journal article 6390 10.5252/g2014n4a4 8bc26961-9853-4113-a63d-4cf691aa7100 1638-9395 4538625 Pelophylax sp. ( Fig. 1D, E ) MATERIAL EXAMINED. — Four incomplete maxillae ( SPV 718), one angular ( SPV 719), one vertebra ( SPV 720), one urostyle ( SPV 721), one humerus ( SPV 705), six ilia ( SPV 704 and SPV 722). DESCRIPTION Ŋe ilia bear a high dorsal crest; the posterior bor- der of the crest is thickened and it forms the tuber superius . Ŋis tuber rises rather steeply with regard to the pars ascendens and its anterior limit is clearly marked. On the angular, the coronoid process is almost vertical. Ŋe single available vertebra is amphicoelous; it is therefore the 8 th , i.e. the last presacral vertebra. Ŋe urostyle has two circular cotyles, well-distinct from each other. Ŋe diaphysis of the humerus was likely straight and the humeral condyle is in line with its axis. Ŋe infraorbital area of the maxillae is shallow and not ornamented. DISCUSSION Ŋe ilia do not preserve their ischiatic processes; however, the dorsal crest is higher than that of alytids and the posterior border of the tuber superius is closer to the vertical. Ŋese features, as well as the nearly vertical orientation of the coronoid process and the axial position of the humeral condyle point to the Ranidae . Ŋe amphicoelous condition of the vertebra corroborates this referral since the 8th vertebra of ranids and other ranoids is amphicoelous. Ŋe morphology of the urostylar cotyles and the shallowness of the infraorbital area of the maxillae are not diagnostic characters, but they are consistent with the Ranidae . Within Ranidae , this fossil is referred to the water (or green) frogs,that is to the genus Pelophylax .Mainly, the steep slope of the tuber superius , in lateral view, is a conspicuous characteristic of this genus.In addition, the height of the dorsal crest and the marked anterior limit of the tuber superius support this assignment. Pelophylax , an extant genus, is first reported in the early Oligocene (MP 22) of Germany ( Sanchiz et al. 1993 ). Ŋese frogs do not live permanently in fresh water, but they live close to and they often enter it.