Geochelone
{{Short description|Genus of tortoises}}
{{Automatic taxobox
| fossil_range = Miocene to present
| image = Indian Star Tortoise.jpg
| image_caption = G. elegans
| taxon = Geochelone
| authority = Fitzinger, 1835
| subdivision_ranks = Species
| subdivision =G. elegans
}}
Geochelone, from Ancient Greek γῆ (gê), meaning "earth", and χελώνη (khelṓnē), meaning "turtle", is a genus of tortoises.
Geochelone tortoises, which are also known as typical tortoises or terrestrial turtles, can be found in southern Asia. They primarily eat plants.
Species
The genus consists of two extant species:
| class="wikitable" | |||
| Image | Common Name | Scientific name | Distribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| 120px | Indian star tortoise | Geochelone elegans | India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. |
| 120px | Burmese star tortoise | Geochelone platynota | Myanmar |
A number of tortoise species have been recently removed from the genus. This taxon as formerly defined was "polyphyletic, representing at least five independent clades".{{cite journal | last = Le | first = M. | author2 = Raxworthy, C. J. | author3 = McCord, W. P. | author4 = Mertz, L. | title = A molecular phylogeny of tortoises (Testudines: Testudinidae) based on mitochondrial and nuclear genes | journal = Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution | volume = 40 | issue = 2 | pages = 517–531 | date = 2006-05-05 | url = http://www.iucn-tftsg.org/wp-content/uploads/file/Articles/Le_etal_2006.pdf | doi = 10.1016/j.ympev.2006.03.003 | pmid = 16678445 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120316211953/http://www.iucn-tftsg.org/wp-content/uploads/file/Articles/Le_etal_2006.pdf | archive-date = 2012-03-16 | url-status = dead }} Tortoises removed include members of Aldabrachelys (from the Seychelles and Madagascar), Astrochelys (Madagascar), Chelonoidis (South America and the Galápagos Islands), Stigmochelys{{Cite journal
| last = Fritz | first = U. |author2=Bininda-Emonds, O. R. P.
| title = When genes meet nomenclature: Tortoise phylogeny and the shifting generic concepts of Testudo and Geochelone
| journal = Zoology | volume = 110 | issue = 4 | pages = 298–307
| publisher = Elsevier | date = 2007-07-03
| doi = 10.1016/j.zool.2007.02.003 | pmid = 17611092 }} and Centrochelys (Africa), and the extinct Megalochelys (southern Asia).
These species are also unique for their ability to remember patterns and spatial pathways. Similar to mammals, these tortoises can remember directions and pathways by remembering the correct pathways in their long-term memory.Wilkinson, A., Chan, H. M., & Hall, G. (2007). Spatial learning and memory in the tortoise (Geochelone carbonaria). Journal of Comparative Psychology, 121(4), 412.
"Self-righting" shell
The form of the shell of the Indian star tortoise resembles a gömböc, allowing it to turn over when lying upside down very easily.
References
{{Reflist}}
- [https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=173853 Geochelone Report] in Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved January 12, 2008.
External links
- {{ARKive|3=Chaco tortoise}}
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20130807001759/http://home.earthlink.net/~rednine/sulcatacare.html Care tips]
{{Testudinidae}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q132328}}
{{Authority control}}