Elseya eidolon JOSEPH-OUNI & MCCORD & DWYER, 2022
Can you confirm these amateur observations of Elseya eidolon?
Elseya eidolon
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| Higher Taxa | Chelidae, Chelodininae, Pleurodira, Testudines (turtles) |
| Subspecies | |
| Common Names | E: Malaita snapping turtle |
| Synonym | Elseya (Solomonemys) eidolon JOSEPH-OUNI & MCCORD & DWYER 2022 |
| Distribution | Solomon Islands Type locality: wetland southeast of Malu, northern Malaita Island, Malaita District, Solomon Islands. |
| Reproduction | |
| Types | Holotype: YPM HERR.022305, an adult female specimen (Plate 2, 3) with a straight carapace length of 212.82 mm, collected March, 1995 by native Solomon Islanders (Figure 1). |
| Diagnosis | Diagnosis: A member of the genus Elseya, displaying all characters as defined for the new subgenus Solomonemys subgenus nov. described above, that is further characterized by the following combination of features: strongly oval, deep chestnut brown colored carapace free of any defined markings or defined pattern; a low, discontinuous, narrow, dark medial ridge present across posterior V1- posterior V5; all carapace scutes free of any defined dark markings or defined dark spots; an upturned nose; 5 enlarged scales present on the outer antebrachium (above the carpal); an all pale creamy-yellow plastron free of darker markings; a complete, smooth large brown and beige mottled head shield, the lateral extensions of which (down parietal arch) broadly reach the dorso-posterior tympanum. (Joseph-Ouni et al. 2022) |
| Comment | This is a provisionally accepted species. Pending approval by the TTWG which provides our master list of turtles. Type species: Elseya eidolon JOSEPH-OUNI et al. 2022 is the type species of the subgenus Solomonemys JOSEPH-OUNI et al. 2022. |
| Etymology | Named after the Ancient Greek εἴδωλον (eídōlon, “ghost, image”), named as a dual reference: one for the mysterious rumors of this turtle’s existence which defied cheloniological evidence for so long, and also in reference to the alleged native Malaitan belief that freshwater turtles represent the incarnation of deceased, spiritual wanderers. |
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