Galapagos Species Database

Taxon category: Accepted

Syn.: Chelonia mydas mydas (Linnaeus, 1758), Chelonia agassizii Bocourt, 1868, Testudo mydas Linnaeus, 1758, Chelonia mydas agassizii Bocourt, 1868, Chelonia agassizi Bocourt, 1868. There are two morphotypes in Galapagos: Black and Yellow turtle. Also, there are a discussion if this species is a subspecies Chelonia mydas agassizii.

Taxon origin: Native

Distribution: Widespread throughout the entire tropical Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific oceans. The morph know as Black Turtle is restricted to the Pacific Ocean.

• Jiménez-Uzcátegui, G. Milstead, B., Márquez, C., Zabala, J., Buitrón, P., Llerena, A., et al. (2007) Galapagos vertebrates: endangered status and conservation actions. Galapagos Report 2006–2007. Charles Darwin Foundation, Puerto Ayora, p. 104–110.
• Carrillo, E. Aldás, S., Altamirano, M.A., Ayala-Varela, F., Cisneros-Heredia, D.F., Endara, A., Márquez, C., Morales, M., Nogales-Sornosa, F., Salvador, P., Torres, M.L., Valencia, J., Villamarín-Jurado, F., Yánez-Muñoz, M.H. & Zárate, P. (2005) Lista Roja de los Reptiles del Ecuador. Fundación Novum Milenium, UICN-Sur, UICN-Comité Ecuatoriano, Ministerio de Educación y Cultura, Serie Proyecto PEEPE. Quito, 46 pp.
• Heller, E. (1903) Reptiles. In Papers from the Hopkins Stanford Galapagos Expedition 1898-1899. Proceedings of the Washington Academy Sciences 5: 39-98.
• Slevin, J.R. (1935) An account of the reptiles inhabiting the Galápagos Islands. Bulletin New York Zoological Society 38: 1-24.
• Zarate, P. Dutton, P. (2002) Tortuga verde. In: Danulat, E. & Edgar, G.J. (eds.): Reserva marina de Galápagos. Línea base de la biodiversidad. Fundación Charles Darwin/Servicio Parque Nacional Galápagos, Santa Cruz, Galápagos, Ecuador, p. 305–323.
• Hickin, N. (1979) Animal life of the Galapagos. Ferundune Books, Faringdon, U.K., 236 pp.
• Arteaga, A. Bustamante, L., Vierira, J., Tapia, W., Guayasamin, J.M. (2019) Reptiles of the Galapagos Life on the Enchanted Islands Tropical Herping

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