Chelonoidis elephantopus (Harlan, 1827:284)
Floreana (Island) giant tortoise, Charles Island giant tortoise, Elephant tortoise
Taxonomy & Nomenclature
Synonym/s: Chelonoidis niger niger Quoy & Gaimard, 1824b:174; Geochelone nigra nigra Quoy & Gaimard, 1824b:174; Geochelone nigra galapagoensis (Baur, 1889:1044); Testudo galapagoensis Baur, 1889; Testudo nigra Quoy & Gaimard, 1824b; Chelonoidis nigra Quoy & Gaimard, 1824b; Geochelone californiana Quoy & Gaimard, 1824a:90 (nomen oblitum); Geochelone nigra elephantopus (Harlan, 1827:284); Testudo elaphantopus Harlan, 1827:284 (original combination); Chelonoidis nigra elephantopus (Harlan, 1827:284); Geochelone elephantopus (Harlan, 1827:284)
Conservation Status
Extinct
Last record: Holocene fossils (Steadman, 1986); c.1835-1850?
IUCN RedList status: Extinct
Hybrid individuals with G. elephantopus ancestry exist in captivity (Russello et al. 2010; Quinzin et al., Accepted). However, although no pure G. elephantopus are known to exist, they may still survive (Garrick et al., 2012).
Distribution
Floreana Island (=Charles Island = Santa Maria Island), Galápagos Islands, Ecuador
Biology & Ecology
Hypodigm
Media
References
Original scientific description:
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http://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/species?genus=Chelonoidis&species=niger
https://extinctanimals.proboards.com/thread/15693/chelonoidis-elephantopus-floreana-giant-tortoise