Aldabrachelys

Aldabrachelys[1] is the recognised genus for the Seychelles and Madagascan radiations of giant tortoises, including the Aldabra giant tortoise (Aldabrachelys gigantea).

Aldabrachelys
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Testudines
Suborder: Cryptodira
Superfamily: Testudinoidea
Family: Testudinidae
Genus: Aldabrachelys
Loveridge & E. Williams, 1957[1]
Synonyms
  • Dipsochelys Bour, 1982

Naming

This name is problematic in that the type specimen is actually represents Chelonoidis denticulata;[2] however, this is being discussed and petitioned before the ICZN.[3]

Species
A. g. arnoldi – Arnold's giant tortoise
†A. g. daudinii – Daudin's giant tortoise (extinct)
A. g. gigantea – Aldabra giant tortoise
A. g. hololissa – Seychelles giant tortoise

Tortoise remains from over 1,000 years ago, which have been found on the Comoros, are believed to have been from an unknown species of the same genus.[4]

gollark: Why would it do that?
gollark: I would use it if I had a reason to do it, which I do not.
gollark: Advanced!
gollark: However, Linux server malware might work on Linux desktops too.
gollark: Although I suppose the set of targets malware for those can use is different.

References
  1. Loveridge A, Williams EE (1957). "Revision of the African tortoises and turtles of the suborder Cryptodira". Bull. Mus. Comp. Zool. Harvard 115: 163-557.
  2. Bour R (2006). "Identity of Testudo gigantea Schweigger, 1812 and rediscovery of the type specimen". Emys 13 (4): 12–23.
  3. Frazer J (2009). "Testudo gigantea Schweigger, 1812 (currently Geochelone (Aldabrachelys) gigantea; Reptilia, Testudines): proposed conservation of usage of the specific name by maintenance of a designated neotype, and suppression of Testudo dussumieri Gray, 1831 (currently Dipsochelys dussumieri)". Bulletin of Zoological Nomenclature 66 (1):Case:3463
  4. Gerlach J, Canning KL (1996). "Evolution and History of the Giant Tortoises of the Aldabra island group". Testudo 4 (3): 33-40. Archived 2016-03-06 at the Wayback Machine
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.