RHOMBOPHOLIS, A PROLACERTIFORM REPTILE FROM THE MIDDLE TRIASSIC OF ENGLAND

The first prolacertiform from the British Isles is described. The type specimen of Rhombopholis scutulata, from the Middle Triassic of Warwi ck, was originally described as a temnospondyl amphibian. The specimen contains bones belonging to a large and a small prolacertiform, both possibly of the same species, as well as scales of a palaeonisciform f ish. Prolacertiform characters of the small individual include long an d low cervical vertebral neural spines, horizontal neural spine tables on the cervical vertebrae, tall rectangular dorsal vertebral neural s pines, and, in a specimen of the presumed larger individual, a strong preacetabular crest on the ilium. Other material of the prolacertiform is noted from Warwick and Bromsgrove. The material is inadequate for confident diagnosis, but it shows closest similarities with Macrocnemu s from the Middle Triassic of continental Europe.