Aldabrachelys

Aldabrachelys is a genus proposed by Loveridge & Williams, 1954 for the Aldabra Giant Tortoise Dipsochelys dussumieri (or Geochelone gigantea). This name has not been used widely. It was intended to apply to the species of giant tortoises on Aldabra atoll but is based on a specimen that is actually as South American tortoise. Therefore, technically Aldabrachelys refers to a South American tortoise and not to the Aldabra giant tortoise. Despite this some authors use it on the basis that Loveridge & Williams clearly intended it to apply to the Aldabra torotises. In 1983 Bour proposed Dipsochelys for the Aldabra, Seychelles and Madagascar giant tortoises. This name is valid. Aldabrachelys is also problematic in that it misleadingly implies that the genus originates on or is restricted to Aldabra whereas it evolved on Madagascar, dispersing to Aldabra and the Seychelles islands.

Source

'Giant Tortoises of the Indian Ocean' by Justin Gerlach (Foreword by Sir David Attenborough)

External links

• Further information on Seychelles giant tortoises