Turtles of the World, 2010 Update: Annotated Checklist of Taxonomy, Synonymy, Distribution, and Conservation Status
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Conservation Biology of Freshwater Turtles and Tortoises: A Compilation ProjectTurtles of the IUCN/SSC of the World Tortoise – 2010and Freshwater Checklist Turtle Specialist Group 000.85 A.G.J. Rhodin, P.C.H. Pritchard, P.P. van Dijk, R.A. Saumure, K.A. Buhlmann, J.B. Iverson, and R.A. Mittermeier, Eds. Chelonian Research Monographs (ISSN 1088-7105) No. 5, doi:10.3854/crm.5.000.checklist.v3.2010 © 2010 by Chelonian Research Foundation • Published 14 December 2010 Turtles of the World, 2010 Update: Annotated Checklist of Taxonomy, Synonymy, Distribution, and Conservation Status TUR T LE TAXONOMY WORKING GROUP * *Authorship of this article is by this working group of the IUCN/SSC Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group, which for the purposes of this document consisted of the following contributors: ANDERS G.J. RHODIN 1, PE T ER PAUL VAN DI J K 2, JOHN B. IVERSON 3, AND H. BRADLEY SHAFFER 4 1Chair, IUCN/SSC Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group, Chelonian Research Foundation, 168 Goodrich St., Lunenburg, Massachusetts 01462 USA [[email protected]]; 2Deputy Chair, IUCN/SSC Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group, Conservation International, 2011 Crystal Drive, Suite 500, Arlington, Virginia 22202 USA [[email protected]]; 3Department of Biology, Earlham College, Richmond, Indiana 47374 USA [[email protected]]; 4Department of Evolution and Ecology, University of California, Davis, California 95616 USA [[email protected]] AB S T RAC T . – This is our fourth annual compilation of an annotated checklist of all recognized and named taxa of the world’s modern chelonian fauna, documenting recent changes and controversies in nomenclature, and including all primary synonyms, updated from our previous three checklists (Turtle Taxonomy Working Group [2007b, 2009], Rhodin et al. [2008]). This year we have expanded the checklist into a comprehensive listing of important aspects of taxonomy, names, distribution, and conservation status of all turtles and tortoises of the world. We strive to record the most recent justified taxonomic assignment of terminal taxa in a hierarchical framework, providing annotations as to whether or not we accept recently proposed changes, and for some taxonomic placements we show alternative arrangements. We provide common English names and detailed distributional data for all taxa, listing occurrence by countries and many smaller political or geo- graphic subunits (states or regions), including indications of native, extirpated, and introduced (modern or prehistoric) populations. We also include current and updated draft IUCN Red List status determinations for all turtles, as well as CITES listings. The diversity of turtles and tortoises in the world that have existed in modern times (since 1500 AD), and currently generally recognized as distinct and included on this checklist, now consists of 328 species. Of these, 56 are polytypic, representing 124 additional recognized subspecies, or 452 total taxa of modern turtles and tortoises. Of these, 8 species and 2 subspecies, or 10 taxa, have gone extinct. As of the current 2010 IUCN Red List, 129 turtle species (62.3% of 207 species listed, 39.3% of all species) are officially regarded as globally Threatened (Critically Endangered, Endangered, or Vulnerable). We now record ad- ditional draft Red List evaluations of the 121 previously “unevaluated” species, and updated draft re-evaluations of 77 previously listed species, allowing us to evaluate the overall current threat levels for all turtles and tortoises. Of the 328 total species of turtles and tortoises, 156 (47.6%) are Threatened, with 90 (27.4%) Critically Endangered or Endangered. If we adjust for predicted threat rates of Data Deficient species, then 54% of all turtles are Threatened. If we include Extinct in the Wild and Extinct species, then 50.3% of all modern turtles and tortoises are either already extinct or threatened with extinction. Turtles are among the most endangered of any of the major groups of vertebrates, more than birds, mammals, cartilaginous fishes, or amphibians. KEY W ORDS . – Reptilia, Testudines, turtle, tortoise, chelonian, taxonomy, nomenclature, genera, species, subspecies, primary synonyms, suprageneric hierarchy, systematics, common names, distribution, introduced species, conservation status, IUCN Red List, CITES, threatened species, extinction The diversity of all turtles and tortoises (chelonians) checklist), leaving us currently with 320 species and 122 in the world that have existed in modern times (since 1500 additional subspecies, or 442 total taxa of living turtles AD), and currently generally recognized as distinct by spe- and tortoises. Of all living turtle taxa, 7 species are marine cialists in turtle taxonomy and systematics, consists of ap- turtles, leaving 313 species and 435 total taxa of modern proximately 328 species, of which 56 are polytypic, with living freshwater and terrestrial turtles and tortoises. 124 additional recognized subspecies, or 452 total taxa of The 452 total turtle and tortoise taxa recognized on this modern chelonians. Of these, 8 species plus 2 subspecies, checklist are based on a listed synonymy of 1203 separate or 10 total taxa, of tortoises and freshwater turtles have named turtle and tortoise species and subspecies, counting become extinct since 1500 AD (see table at the end of the both new descriptions and nomina nova replacement names, 000.86 Conservation Biology of Freshwater Turtles and Tortoises • Chelonian Research Monographs, No. 5 but not nomina nuda or ex errore typographical error groupings, from “Family” to Order to various supra-ordi- names. In this checklist we present a full taxonomic listing nal categories. Many were utilized primarily for including of all recognized taxa, including synonymized names, and various fossil turtle-like ancestors in an expanded concept provide annotations concerning recently described new of turtles, including some rank-free Phylocode names. The taxa, nomenclatural and taxonomic updates, and significant names we list in other infra-ordinal suprageneric categories taxon-related controversies or developments. are not always strict synonyms either, as based on nomen- As there is always some disagreement among experts clatural acceptability or availability of the utilized group as to which taxa are distinct and valid, and at what system- name, but instead provide a partial historical record for atic level or rank (species or subspecies), these numbers names previously used for the same or similar grouping. are variable depending on the authorities presenting their Our formatting in terms of the use of standardized end- data or interpretations. For prior discussions and listings of ings and attribution of authorship of names of some groups all recognized modern turtle taxa, with extensive annota- (e.g., Trionychia, Kinosternoidea) does not always follow tions regarding areas of recent taxonomic change, insta- a strict application of the ICZN, being more of a partial bility, or controversy, see the previous publications by the use and deference to the Phylocode for these suprafamilial Turtle Taxonomy Working Group (TTWG 2007a,b, 2009), categories. Rhodin et al. (2008), and the turtle checklist produced for The list includes all currently recognized named taxa CITES by Fritz and Havas (2007). The latter is also an ex- (species and subspecies) of modern turtles (extant after cellent source for full synonymies, including nomina nuda, 1500 AD). By “currently recognized” we mean those taxa ex errore names, and type localities. that have not been demonstrably refuted or justifiably syn- The Turtle Taxonomy Working Group (TTWG) func- onymized in published literature, or whose resurrection is tions under the auspices of the IUCN/SSC Tortoise and yet to receive acceptance. We have attempted to describe Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group (TFTSG), which oper- all recent published taxonomic recommendations in our ates under the umbrella of the IUCN (International Union annotations, even though we have not included all pro- for Conservation of Nature) and its Species Survival Com- posed changes in the checklist. mission (SSC). Our checklist of modern turtle taxa was Since there are sometimes also different interpretations first compiled by the TTWG (2007b), and has since been for some genera and polytypic species as to which names updated annually to reflect more recent changes as required are valid and whether to lump or split the contained taxa, by subsequent publications with taxonomic novelties or we occasionally list recent alternative name usages. Our proposed changes, as well as adding primary synonyms most important criterion for accepting proposed changes is for all recognized taxa (Rhodin et al. 2008; TTWG 2009). that they be accompanied by adequate data and sound ar- This checklist is the fourth installment in this series and is guments justifying the taxonomic revision. Consequently, current through 1 December 2010. some proposed taxonomic changes from lists or publica- This list includes all primary description names, syn- tions with unsupported or untested revisions have not been onyms, and nomina nova that we are aware of, but excludes incorporated. We also list and annotate recent systematic nomina nuda (with a few exceptions), typographical ex er- papers that do not necessarily commit nomenclatural or rore names, and subsequent usage and new combination taxonomic acts, but that present data on phylogenetic or names. Original and synonymized taxon names