 |
| Vasuki indicus Datta & Bajpai, 2024 Nix Illustration (CC BY-NC 4.0) (modified Madtsoiidae illustration) |
Abstract
Here we report the discovery of fossils representing partial vertebral column of a giant madtsoiid snake from an early Middle Eocene (Lutetian, ~ 47 Ma) lignite-bearing succession in Kutch, western India. The estimated body length of ~ 11–15 m makes this new taxon (Vasuki indicus gen et sp. nov.) the largest known madtsoiid snake, which thrived during a warm geological interval with average temperatures estimated at ~ 28 °C. Phylogenetically, Vasuki forms a distinct clade with the Indian Late Cretaceous taxon Madtsoia pisdurensis and the North African Late Eocene Gigantophis garstini. Biogeographic considerations, seen in conjunction with its inter-relationship with other Indian and North African madtsoiids, suggest that Vasuki represents a relic lineage that originated in India. Subsequent India-Asia collision at ~ 50 Ma led to intercontinental dispersal of this lineage from the subcontinent into North Africa through southern Eurasia.
Systematic paleontology
Squamata Oppel, 1811
Ophidia Brongniart, 1800
Madtsoiidae (Hoffstetter 1961) McDowell, 1987
Vasuki indicus gen. et sp. nov.
Etymology: Generic name after the well-known Hindu mythical serpent ‘Vāsuki’ around the neck of Lord Shiva; specific name is for the country of origin i.e., India.
Holotype: IITR/VPL/SB 3102-1-21; a partial vertebral column representing the precloacal region
Horizon and locality: Naredi Formation; Panandhro Lignite Mine, district Kutch, Gujarat state, western India.
Diagnosis: Vasuki exhibits a unique combination of the following characters: presence of prominent paracotylar foramina (shared with Madtsoiidae); middle-sized cotyle (shared with Madtsoiidae); median prominence on ventral margin of centrum (shared with Madtsoiidae); prezygapophyseal process absent; high angle of synapophysis with horizontal in anterior view (avg. 71.5°); MTV diapophysis level with dorsoventral midpoint of neural canal (shared with Madtsoia madagascariensis, Madtsoia camposi, Wonambi barriei and Adinophis); prezygapophyseal buttress succeeded posteriorly by elliptical fossa (shared with Madtsoia pisdurensis); deep V-shaped embayment (shared with Gigantophis garstini and Madtsoia pisdurensis); oval precloacal cotyle (shared with Gigantophis garstini and Madtsoia pisdurensis); transversely wide vertebrae (shared with Gigantophis garstini and Madtsoia pisdurensis); neural spine posteriorly canted (shared with Gigantophis garstini and Madtsoia pisdurensis); broad hemal keel with posterior process (shared with Gigantophis garstini and Madtsoia pisdurensis); strongly notched anterior zygosphenal margin; endozygantral foramen present (shared with Madtsoia madagascariensis, Powellophis and Gigantophis garstini).
Autapomorphies: exceptionally large vertebrae [centrum length (cL): 37.5–62.7 mm and prezygapophyseal width (prW): 62.4–111.4 mm]; neural spine cross-section spade-shaped; poorly developed hemal keel which remains dorsal to the parapophyses; chisel-shaped posterior process of the hemal keel.
Debajit Datta and Sunil Bajpai. 2024. Largest known madtsoiid Snake from warm Eocene period of India suggests intercontinental Gondwana dispersal. Scientific Reports. 14, 8054. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-58377-0
www.scientificamerican.com/article/this-nearly-50-foot-snake-was-one-of-the-largest-to-slither-the-earth
