This dataset contains the digitized treatments in Plazi based on the original journal article Szyndlar, Olaf Lizak Zbigniew, Delfino, Massimo, Georgalis, Georgios L. (2026): First fossil remains of the extant colubrid Zamenis situla (Linnaeus, 1758) (Serpentes) from the island of Crete, Greece. Comptes Rendus Palevol 25 (7): 125-136, DOI: 10.5852/cr-palevol2026v25a7, URL: https://doi.org/10.5852/cr-palevol2026v25a7
ABSTRACT
We here provide the first description of fossil remains of the colubrid snake cf. Zamenis situla from Crete, Greece, originating from the Late Pleistocene of the Rethymnon fissure. Although Zamenis situla (Linnaeus, 1758) is a widespread snake species in Greece, including Crete, its fossil record in the area has thus far been restricted to Middle Pleistocene material from Tourkobounia 2, near Athens, which also represents the sole confirmed fossil occurrence of the species. We provide a comparison of the fossil specimens to other extant Cretan snakes, and highlight key morphological features that distinguish it from other colubrids. This fossil material provides further support to recent molecular studies suggesting long-term presence of Z. situla on the island. However, due to the scarcity of the fossil record, it remains unclear whether Z. situla inhabited Crete continuously since the Late Pleistocene or was instead reintroduced to it later on. Finally, we investigate skeletal material of Z. situla, providing anatomical descriptions of key cranial and vertebral structures, which could facilitate in future fossil identifications and comparisons among colubrid snakes.
RÉSUMÉ
Premiers restes fossiles du colubridé actuel Zamenis situla (Linnaeus, 1758) (Serpentes) provenant de l’île de Crète, en Grèce.
Nous fournissons ici la première description de restes fossiles du serpent colubridé cf. Zamenis situla en provenance de Crète, en Grèce, datant du Pléistocène tardif et issus de la fissure de Réthymnon. Bien que Zamenis situla (Linnaeus, 1758) soit une espèce de serpent largement répandue en Grèce, y compris en Crète, son registre fossile dans la région était jusqu’à présent limité au Pléistocène moyen de Tourkobounia 2, près d’Athènes, qui constitue également la seule occurrence fossile confirmée de l’espèce. Nous comparons les spécimens fossiles à d’autres serpents crétois actuels et mettons en évidence les caractéristiques morphologiques clés qui le distinguent des autres colubridés. Ce matériel fossile apporte un soutien supplémentaire aux études moléculaires récentes suggérant une présence à long terme de Z. situla sur l’île. Cependant, en raison de la rareté du registre fossile, il reste incertain si Z. situla a habité la Crète de manière continue depuis le Pléistocène tardif ou s’il y a été réintro-duit ultérieurement. Enfin, nous examinons le matériel squelettique de Z. situla, en fournissant des descriptions anatomiques des structures clés du crâne et des vertèbres, ce qui pourrait faciliter les futures identifications fossiles et les comparaisons entre les colubridés.
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