Chelonia mydas ( Linnaeus, 1758:197 )

Bauer, Aaron M., DeBoer, Jonathan C. & Taylor, Dylan J., 2017, Atlas of the Reptiles of Libya, Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences 64 (8), pp. 155-318 : 172-173

Chelonia mydas ( Linnaeus, 1758:197)

1758 Testudo mydas Linnaeus , Systema Naturae per Regna Tria Naturae, Secundum Classes, Ordines, Genera, Species, cum Characteribus, Differentiis, Synonymis, Locis. Tomus I. Editio decima, reformata. Laurentii Salvii, Holmiae [Stockholm], Sweden. (4) + 823 + (I) pp.

SYNTYPES.— NRM 5000?, 31488?, 31493? and UUZM 19, 26, 231 (fide Wallin 2001, but see below) “insulas Pelagi: insulam Adscensionis andc.” [islands of the sea: Ascension Island, South Atlantic, etc.], given by Smith and Taylor (1950b) as “ Ascension Island.” Wallin (1985) demonstrated that surviving UUZM (Uppsala) syntypes underlying the description of C. mydas are, in fact, referable to Caretta caretta . One or more of three extant specimens of C. mydas in Stockholm (NRM) may also belong to the type series. Given the uncertainty, Wallin (1985) recommended that one of these specimens be designated as a neotype in order to stabilize the application of the name to follow prevailing usage. Type material had earlier been considered by Lönnberg (1896), Andersson (1900), and Holm (1957). Although Wallin (1985) concentrated on Linnaeus’ own material in Swedish collections, numerous indications to works by other authors are provided in the description, including Gesner, Aldrovandi, Grew, Olearius, Bradley, Seba, Marcgrave, and Ray (see Bauer 2012 for citations to the relevant works). To the extent that these earlier authors made reference to particular individuals, whether or not they are figured or traceable, these would also have syntype status. Although Ascension Island is usually given as the type locality (e.g., Smith and Taylor 1950b), in the absence of the designation of a neotype, the type locality in its entirety also should include any localities associated with the specimens in indicated works.

Chelonia mydas, Sindaco and Jeremčenko 2008:77 .

DISTRIBUTION.— Widely distributed in tropical to temperate waters of the Western

Pacific, Indian, and Atlantic Oceans, including the Mediterranean Sea. In the Mediterranean nesting sites occur in Turkey and Cyprus.

Numerous non-nesting records along the

Egyptian coast ( Baha El Din 2006a) and at scattered localities in Libya.

Libyan Records (Map 2): TRIPOLITA-

NIA: “ Along the coasts between Sirte and

Misratah ”: Hadoud and El Gomati 1996 in

Hamza 2010. CYRENAICA: BUTNAN: 487:

Hadoud and El Gomati 1996 in Hamza 2010;

Laurent et al. 1997.

COMMENTS.— Libyan waters have been hypothesized to be important feeding grounds for both juveniles and adults over-wintering in the Mediterranean ( Hamza 2010; van Dijk et MAP 2. Distribution of Chelonia mydas in Libya.

al. 2014). Hazma (2010) suggested that nesting might be possible as suitable beaches are present. Although no evidence of nests or tracks has yet been found, juveniles have been found close to the beach at Ain al Ghazalah in Butnan.

IUCN THREAT STATUS.— Endangered A2bd.