The complete etymology of the Rheodytes genus (Pleurodira:Chelidae)
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Chelodina Elseya Elusor Emydura Macrochelodina Pseudemydura Rheodytes |
Rheodytes (Legler & Cann, 1980)
The generic name was derived from the Greek roots rheos (current
or stream) and dytes (diver) and alludes to the speed and agility
of these animals in fast currents. (Legler & Cann, 1980) Its grammatical
gender is masculine. The genus was erected by Dr John Legler and John Cann
in 1980.
Rheodytes devisi (Thomson, 1999)
This extinct species was named for Charles Walter De Vis (1829-1915), an
England-born Australian zoologist and ornithologist, who originally described
the species as Elseya uberima in 1897. (Thomson, 2000) Its grammatical
gender is masculine.
Rheodytes leukops (Legler & Cann, 1980)
The specific name is derived from the Greek leukos (white) and
ops (eye) and refers to the distinctive white ring around the iris.
(Legler & Cann, 1980) Its grammatical gender is masculine.
Literature cited
Legler, J.M. & Cann, J. 1980. A new species of chelid turtle from Queensland, Australia. Contributions to Science (Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County) 324:1-18.
Thomson, S. A. 2000. A Revision of the Fossil Chelid Turtles
(Pleurodira) Described by C.W. De Vis, 1897. Memoires of the Queensland
Museum 45(2):593-598. Brisbane. ISSN 0079-8835.