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ABSTRACT In recent years, major changes have been proposed for the phylogenetic relationships within the Gymnophthalmoidea, including the description of Alopoglossidae. Recent studies relied primarily on molecular data and have not accounted for evidence from alternative sources, such as morphology. In this study, we provide a detailed bone‐by‐bone description of the skull ofPtychoglossus vallensisand compare this species with other gymnophthalmoideans. The description was based on 10 cleared‐and‐stained specimens, four disarticulated skulls, and computed microtomography data ofP. vallensis. Most recent phylogenetic hypothesis for the Gymnophthalmoidea was used as a framework to compare the skull ofP. vallensiswith other species of the Alopoglossidae, Gymnophthalmidae, and Teiidae. Marked similarities between alopoglossids and gymnophthalmids were observed in contrast to teiids, probably due to convergence generated by miniaturization. We also qualitatively analyzed the kinesis of the skull ofP. vallensisconcluding that is highly akinetic, a trait commonly evolved in fossorial, primarily burrowing squamates. We also describe one unique osteological feature for Alopoglossidae that is not known in any other squamate group. Anat Rec, 302:1074–1092, 2019. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.