Fig. 2. Extant helodermatid lizard from the USA. A in Helodermatid lizard from the Mio-Pliocene oak-hickory forest of Tennessee, eastern USA, and a review of monstersaurian osteoderms

Fig. 2. Extant helodermatid lizard from the USA. A. Close−up of Heloderma suspectum Cope, 1869 hatchling (ETVP 17869) showing that the frontal and parietal lack fused−on osteoderms (typical of older individuals). B. Heloderma suspectum Cope, 1869 (hatchling; ETVP 17869). Thin, waffer−like osteoderms have numerous holes yet already show an incipient domed form, polygonal outline, and vermiculate texture on the apical side of the bone (top row) and lacks a basal platform (bottom osteoderm). C. Close−up of osteoderms covering portions of the parietal and frontal elements on a juvenile Heloderma horridum Wiegmann, 1829 (ETVP 17907).