The complete etymology of the Elusor genus (Pleurodira:Chelidae)
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Chelodina Elseya Elusor Emydura Macrochelodina Pseudemydura Rheodytes |
Elusor (Cann & Legler, 1994)
The genetic epithet was derived from the Latin eludo (elusive)
and refers to the fact the turtle managed to escape its discovery for over
two decades. John Cann became aware of the turtle when he first saw hatchlings,
which were sold in pet shops in Victoria. After many unsuccessful attempts,
he was able to track down the turtle in the Mary River and, together with
John Legler, erected new Elusor genus in 1994. The grammatical
gender of the genetic name is masculine.
Elusor macrurus (Cann & Legler, 1994)
The specific name was derived from the Greek makro (big, huge)
and the Greek oura (tail), macroura and Latinized to macrurus
- big tailed. (Cann & Legler, 1994) It is of masculine grammatical gender.
The species was described by John Cann and Dr John Legler.
Literature cited
Cann, J. and Legler, J.M. 1994. The Mary River Tortoise:
a new genus and species of short-necked chelid from Queensland, Australia
(Testudines; Pleurodira). Chelonian Conservation and Biology 1(2):81-96.