Cylindraspis
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Cylindraspis is a genus of recently extinct giant tortoises. All of its species lived in the Mascarene Islands (Mauritius, Rodriguez and Reunion) in the Indian Ocean and all are now extinct due to hunting and introduction of non-native predators. These giant tortoises were very large and slow, thus making them easy game. The Mascarenes were colonised in 1663. Most species of this genus were already driven to extinction by 1795 and the last individuals were reputed to have died around 1840 (Arnold 1979, Bour 1980).
The genus contains at least the following species:
- Cylindraspis borbonica, Reunion Giant Tortoise, also known by the synonym Cylindraspis indica, from Réunion
- Cylindraspis inepta, Saddle-backed Mauritius Giant Tortoise, from Mauritius
- Cylindraspis peltastes, Domed Rodrigues Giant Tortoise, from Rodrigues
- Cylindraspis triserrata, Domed Mauritius Giant Tortoise, from Mauritius
- Cylindraspis vosmaeri, Saddle-backed Rodrigues Giant Tortoise, from Rodrigues
The name Cylindraspis indica, is doubtful, since the species epiphet indica has been used as a synonym for several other giant tortoises, also the Aldabra and Seychelles giant tortoises, of the genus Dipsochelys.
[edit] References
- Arnold, E.N. 1979. Indian Ocean giant tortoises: their systematics and island adaptations.
PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF LONDON B BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES 286 (1011): 127-145
- Bour,R. 1980. Systematique des tortues terrestres des iles Mascareignes: genre Cylindraspis Fitzinger, 1835 (Reptilia, Chelonii).
BULLETIN DU MUSEUM NATIONAL D'HISTOIRE NATURELLE SECTION A ZOOLOGIE BIOLOGIE ET ECOLOGIE ANIMALES 2 (3): 895-904
- Bour, R. 1984. Les tortues terrestres geantes des iles de l'ocean Indien occidental. Studia Geologica Salamanticensia 1; 17-76
- Gerlach, J. 2004. Giant tortoises of the Indian Ocean. The genus Dipsochelys inhabiting the Seychelles Islands and the extinct giants of Madagascar and the Mascarenes. Edition Chimaira, Frankfurt, 208 pp.
- Gerlach, J. & Canning, K.L. 1997. Evolution and history of the giant tortoises of the Aldabra island group. Testudo 4(3); 33-40
