The new study suggests that the number of species may need to be updated after the. Of these, 13 species are currently alive, while the Pinta Island tortoise went extinct in 2012 after the last of its species, Lonesome George, died. The carapace of this species has a distinctive saddleback shape. Overall, there are 14 recognised species of Galápagos giant tortoise, with one other yet to be described. George was believed to be around 100 years old and the last specimen of a species of giant tortoise from La Pinta, one of the smallest islands in the Galapagos archipelago - w h ich belongs to Ecuador and lies 1,000 kilometers (621 km) west of the country’s Pacific coast. Chelonoidis abingdonii was the only species of giant tortoise known to occur on Pinta Island. Tortuga Gigante de Pinta (Spanish) 1 reference. “The study showed that among the population of tortoises living in the Wolf volcano there were 17 individuals that have genetic traces of the tortoises that lived in the Pinta island, where Lonesome George hails from,” park director Edwin Naula told Reuters. Pinta giant tortoise Abingdon Island tortoise Abingdon Island giant tortoise Pinta Island tortoise Chelonoidis abingdonii Statements. He was the last surviving land tortoise from Pinta Island, one of the northern islands in the Galápagos. His ministry added, 'The species of giant tortoise that inhabits San Cristbal Island, until now scientifically known as Chelonoidis chathamensis, genetically corresponds to a different species, which was believed to be extinct since the beginning of the 20th century. Genetic material from George’s species, which was largely killed off in the 1800s by pirates and whalers who hunted their meat, has survived in tortoises on the islands - and scientists think they may be able to bring the species back to life.Ī study by the Galapagos National Park and Yale University found at least 17 tortoises on the Isabela island that are descendents of George’s species, the Chelonoidis abingdonii. On June 24, 2012, the world-famous giant tortoise affectionately known as Lonesome George passed away. ![]() Two Galapagos giant tortoises gather during their annual weighing at Riga Zoo July 12,2012.
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