Vertebrate paleobiodiversity of the Early Cretaceous (Berriasian) Angeac-Charente Lagerstätte (southwestern France): implications for continental faunal turnover at the J / K boundary Author Allain, Ronan Author Vullo, Romain Author Rozada, Lee Author Anquetin, Jérémy Author Bourgeais, Renaud Author Goedert, Jean Author Lasseron, Maxime Author Martin, Jeremy E. Author Pérez-García, Adán Author Fabrègues, Claire Peyre De Author Royo-Torres, Rafael Author Augier, Dominique Author Bailly, Gilles text Geodiversitas 2022 2022-07-21 44 25 683 752 journal article 107849 10.5252/geodiversitas2022v44a25 d0184974-bea3-4f97-a2f8-98887ec4f87e 1638-9395 6902033 urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:EA12DCB7-A5BE-4763-B805-25087EBD726D cf. Cteniogenys ( Fig. 16 A-E) DESCRIPTION A characteristic robust vertebra ( Fig. 16 A-C), as well as a smaller vertebra that probably belongs to a juvenile individual ( Fig. 16D, E ), have been discovered among the microremains. Both centra are amphicoelous, with an opened neurocentral suture. Dorsally, a distinct longitudinal ridge is laterally bordered by longitudinal grooves on the floor of the neural canal ( Fig. 16A ). In ventral view, the lower half of the centrum is pinched into a keel ( Fig. 16D ). The margins of the cotyle are thick ( Fig. 16E ). All these characters are reminiscent of choristoderan reptiles ( Evans 1991 ; Averianov et al. 2006 ; Vullo et al. 2014 ; Haddoumi et al. 2016 ; Lasseron et al. 2020 ). ANG M-20 is nearly identical to the vertebra of Cteniogenys figured by Evans & Milner (1994 : fig.18.5). Hence, it is here tentatively assigned to this genus, although this identification needs to be substantiated with additional material. These freshwater or amphibious diapsids are well known in Laurasia ( Matsumoto et al. 2013 ), but have also been reported from the Jurassic-Cretaceous transition of North Africa ( Lasseron et al. 2020 ). In the Lower Cretaceous of Asia, the diversity and abundance of choristoderans is particularly high in the faunal assemblages, in which crocodyliforms are scarce ( Matsumoto et al. 2015 ; Skutschas & Vitenko 2017 ). Conversely, the abundance and diversity of crocodyliforms at Angeac-Charente may explain the scaricity of choristoderans.