Literaturdatenbank
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Crumly, C. R. (1986). The identity of testudo gigantea schweigger, 1812: another interpretation. Herpetologica, 42(2), 237–241.
Added by: Admin (21 Nov 2009 11:53:08 UTC) |
| Resource type: Journal Article BibTeX citation key: Crumly1986 View all bibliographic details  |
Categories: General Keywords: Schildkröten = turtles + tortoises, Systematik = taxonomy Creators: Crumly Collection: Herpetologica |
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| Abstract |
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Testudinidae Testudo gigantea Schweigger, 1812 is the correct name for the giant tortoises of Aldabra. Bour's suggestion that the type of Testudo gigantea Schweigger, 1812 was a specimen of Testudo indica Schneider, 1783 is untenable for several reasons. Since the specimen described by Schweigger has been lost, and existing specimens of Testudo indica are incomplete or only fragments, accurate comparisons of Schweigger's vague description with T. indica are impossible. Living T. gigantea populations are highly variable and possess traits given by Schweigger. Aside from the inconclusive morphological evidence, changing the name of the Aldabra tortoises is illadvised owing to the long time and wide use of gigantea in scientific and popular literature. Furthermore, the use of elephantina would be confused with elephantopus, the epithet for Galápagos tortoises.
Added by: Admin |