Abstract
The tuatara, Sphenodon, is the sole survivor of a very ancient group of reptiles, the Rhynchocephalia, so called because the upper jaw has a small overhanging beak. The group is highly conservative and probably dates from the Permian, although fossils are known only as far back as the Triassic. Late Triassic forms are almost identical with Sphenodon.
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© 1978 J. E. Webb, J. A. Wallwork and J. H. Elgood
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Webb, J.E., Wallwork, J.A., Elgood, J.H. (1978). The Tuatara. In: Guide to Living Reptiles. Classification Guides. Palgrave, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-04288-3_5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-04288-3_5
Publisher Name: Palgrave, London
Print ISBN: 978-0-333-25653-4
Online ISBN: 978-1-349-04288-3
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