Nigerophiidae Temporal range:
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Life restoration of Nigerophis | |
Scientific classification ![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Reptilia |
Order: | Squamata |
Suborder: | Serpentes |
Infraorder: | Alethinophidia |
Family: | †Nigerophiidae Rage, 1975 |
Genera | |
See text | |
Synonyms | |
Nigeropheidae |
Nigerophiidae is an extinct family of marine snakes known from the Late Cretaceous to the Paleogene.[1] Species of this family were found throughout much of the former Tethys Ocean (mainland Africa, Madagascar, Europe, Central Asia and India). Their taxonomic identity is uncertain due to their fragmentary remains. The earliest nigerophiid is Nubianophis from the Campanian of Sudan.[2][3]
They are thought to be related to the Palaeophiidae due to their similar appearance, distribution, and temporal range, although this is questioned.[4] Some analyses place both families in the superfamily Acrochordoidea along with the extant file snakes, but this is now heavily disputed.[5][6]
The following genera are known:[7]
There is some debate over whether Indophis (and the similar Kelyophis) represent nigerophiids or not.[7]