The fully formed chondrocranium of the agamid lizard, Agama pallida

Major features of interest in the mature chondrocranium of Agama pallida are striking curvature of the nasal region, lack of the paranasal cartilage and concha nasalis, and presence of a cartilaginous roof over Jacobson's organ. In addition, the course of the ethmoid nerve deviates from the normal lacertilian pattern; there is no foramen epiphaniale, and the temporal region is reduced. The prefacial commissure and facial foramen lie in front of the cochlear portion of the auditory capsule, whereas the prominentia semicircularis anterior is separated from the rest of the otic capsule. Several chondrocranial characters are suggested to be unique to the agamids.