Abstract
We compiled a list of the named terminal taxa for the world’s modern turtle fauna that would summarize recent changes in turtle nomenclature. We provide an annotated list of 465 currently recognized modern terminal taxa (319 species plus 146 additional subspecies) in a hierarchical framework. In order to be as objective as possible we strive to uncritically record the most recent assignment of terminal taxa. For higher-level changes, we show competing schemes equally without endorsing any arrangement. In both cases (terminals and higher taxa) we direct readers to the systematic works that discuss taxonomic revisions. We anticipate that this annotated list will be a useful resource for everyone interested in turtles and their nomenclature. In addition to clarifying some issues or points of confusion, this list should also provide an impetus for future work aimed at clarifying and resolving areas of taxonomic disagreement and/or uncertainty.
Key Words
Reptilia; Testudines; turtle; tortoise; taxonomy; nomenclature; genera; species; subspecies; synonymization
Citation
Turtle Taxonomy Working Group [Bickham, J.W., Iverson, J.B., Parham, J.F., Philippen, H.-D., Rhodin, A.G.J., Shaffer, H.B., Spinks, P.Q., and van Dijk, P.P.]. 2007b. An annotated list of modern turtle terminal taxa with comments on areas of taxonomic instability and recent change. In: Shaffer, H.B., FitzSimmons, N.N., Georges, A., and Rhodin, A.G.J. (Eds.). Defining Turtle Diversity: Proceedings of a Workshop on Genetics, Ethics, and Taxonomy of Freshwater Turtles. Chelonian Research Monographs No. 4, pp. 173–199.