Ovoo gurvel

Taxonavigation

Taxonavigation: Varanoidea

Superregnum: Eukaryota Cladus: Amorphea Cladus: Obazoa Cladus: Opisthokonta Cladus: Holozoa Cladus: Filozoa Cladus: Choanozoa Regnum: Animalia Cladus: Bilateria Cladus: Nephrozoa Superphylum: Deuterostomia Phylum: Chordata Cladus: Olfactores Subphylum: Vertebrata Infraphylum: Gnathostomata Cladus: Eugnathostomata Cladus: Osteichthyes Cladus: Sarcopterygii Cladus: Rhipidistia Cladus: Tetrapodomorpha Cladus: Eotetrapodiformes Cladus: Elpistostegalia Cladus: Stegocephali Superclassis: Tetrapoda Cladus: Reptiliomorpha Cladus: Amniota Cladus: Sauropsida Classis: Reptilia Cladus: Eureptilia Cladus: Romeriida Cladus: Diapsida Cladus: Neoreptilia Cladus: Parapleurota Cladus: Neodiapsida Cladus: Sauria Cladus: Lepidosauromorpha Superordo: Lepidosauria Ordo: Squamata 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.