Geochelone
| Geochelone | |
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| Geochelone radiata | |
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| Genus: | Geochelone |
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G. carbonaria | |
Geochelone is a genus of tortoises.
Geochelone Tortoises, which are also known as geoclelone tortoises or typical tortoises, can be found in Africa, America, Asia, and several Oceanic islands. They primarily eat plants. Measured by the length of their shell, the species in this genus are some of the largest turtles in the world, especially the Galápagos tortoise (G. nigra), which can get as long as 6 feet (1.80 meters). The genus consists of the following 12 species:
- Red-footed tortoise (G. carbonaria)
- Chaco tortoise (G. chilensis)
- South American yellow-footed tortoise (G. denticulata)
- Indian Star Tortoise (G. elegans)
- Aldabra Giant Tortoise (G. gigantea)
- Galápagos tortoise (G. nigra)
- Leopard Tortoise (G. pardalis)
- Burmese Star Tortoise (G. platynota)
- Radiated Tortoise (G. radiata)
- African Spurred Tortoise (G. sulcata)
- Angonoka or Angulated Tortoise (G. yniphora)
A recent comparative genetic analysis has indicated that this taxon is "polyphyletic, representing at least four independent clades".[1] S. American members of Geochelone are actually most closely related to African hingeback tortoises.[1]
"Self-righting" shell
The form of the shell of the Indian Star Tortoise (Geochelone elegans) resembles a gömböc, allowing it to turn over when lying upside down very easily.
References
- ^ a b Le, M. (2006-05-05). "A molecular phylogeny of tortoises (Testudines: Testudinidae} based on mitochondrial and nuclear genes". Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 40: 517–531. doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2006.03.003.
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- Geochelone Report in Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved January 12, 2008.