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Sonoran Desert tortoise

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Sonoran Desert tortoise
Sonoran Desert tortoise, "G. morafkai"
Sonoran Desert tortoise, G. morafkai
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Testudines
Suborder: Cryptodira
Superfamily: Testudinoidea
Family: Testudinidae
Genus: Gopherus
Species:
G. morafkai
Binomial name
Gopherus morafkai
Murphy, Berry, Edwards, Leviton, Lathrop, and Riedle, 2011[2]

The Sonoran Desert tortoise (Gopherus morafkai), or Morafka's desert tortoise,[3][4] is a species of terrestrial chelonian reptile of the family Testudinidae (tortoises) native to the Sonoran Desert.

Taxon history

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In 2011, using DNA evidence, geography, and behavioral observations, it was concluded that two distinct species of desert tortoise exist on either side (east-west) of the Colorado River:

References

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  1. ^ Averill-Murray, R.C.; Rosen, P.C.; Jones, C.A.; Jones, T.R.; Lara-Resendiz, R.A.; Edwards, T.; Karl, A.; Berry, K.H. (2023). "Gopherus morafkai". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2023: e.T97246109A97246177. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2023-1.RLTS.T97246109A97246177.en. Retrieved 1 January 2024.
  2. ^ Rhodin, Anders G.J.; Inverson, John B.; Roger, Bour; Fritz, Uwe; Georges, Arthur; Shaffer, H. Bradley; van Dijk, Peter Paul; et al. (Turtle Taxonomy Working Group) (August 3, 2017). Rhodin A G.J.; Iverson J.B.; van Dijk P.P.; Saumure R.A.; Buhlmann K.A.; Pritchard P.C.H.; Mittermeier R.A. (eds.). "Turtles of the world, 2017 update: Annotated checklist and atlas of taxonomy, synonymy, distribution, and conservation status(8th Ed.)" (PDF). Chelonian Research Monographs. Conservation Biology of Freshwater Turtles and Tortoises: A Compilation Project of the IUCN/SSC Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group. 7 (8 ed.): 1–292. doi:10.3854/crm.7.checklist.atlas.v8.2017. ISBN 978-1-5323-5026-9. Retrieved October 4, 2019.
  3. ^ a b Gopherus morafkai at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 10 August 2020.
  4. ^ "Morafka's Desert Tortoise Gopherus morafkai". iNaturalist. Retrieved 31 October 2019.
  5. ^ "Observations • iNaturalist". Retrieved 10 June 2024.
  6. ^ "Observations • iNaturalist". Retrieved 10 June 2024.
  7. ^ "Observations • iNaturalist". Retrieved 10 June 2024.
  8. ^ Genetic Analysis Splits Desert Tortoise into Two Species. US Geological Survey (2011-06-28). Retrieved on 2019-08-22.
  9. ^ "Observations • iNaturalist". Retrieved 10 June 2024.