Literaturdatenbank
Literaturdatenbank |
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16617. (1986). A reinterpretation of testudo gigantea schweigger, 1812. Journal of Herpetology, 20(4), 522–534.
Added by: Sarina Wunderlich (28 Feb 2010 12:07:38 UTC) |
| Resource type: Journal Article BibTeX citation key: Pritchard1986 View all bibliographic details  |
Categories: General Keywords: Chelonoidis, Chelonoidis denticulata, Schildkröten = turtles + tortoises, Systematik = taxonomy, Testudinidae Creators: Collection: Journal of Herpetology |
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| Abstract |
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Testudinidae Schweigger's 1812 original description of Testudo gigantea is translated and analyzed. Among the living or Subrecent tortoise species of appropriate size, this description is found to differ from the known characteristics of the Aldabra tortoises (to which the name gigantea is commonly applied) in seven points; from the Galápagos tortoises in eight points; from the Mascarene tortoises in seven points; but in no aspect is the description incompatible with the South American tortoise Geochelone denticulata. The type locality of "Brazil" is also compatible with this assignation, as are known historical events contemporary to the time when this specimen was acquired and described. Bour's proposal of the substitute epithet elephantina for the Aldabra tortoises is supported, but it is proposed that Aldabrachelys be retained as the genus. This would require action by the ICZN Commission to designate Testudo elephantina Duméril and Bibron, 1835 as the type species of Aldabrachelys, rather than Testudo gigantea Schweigger, 1812.
Added by: Sarina Wunderlich |