Fernandina Island Galápagos tortoise facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Fernandina Island Galápagos tortoise |
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| Holotype adult male specimen, collected by Rollo H. Beck in 1906. | |
| Conservation status | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Testudines |
| Suborder: | Cryptodira |
| Family: | Testudinidae |
| Genus: | Chelonoidis |
| Species: | |
| Subspecies: |
C. n. phantasticus
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| Trinomial name | |
| Chelonoidis niger phantasticus (Van Denburgh, 1907)
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The Fernandina Island Galápagos tortoise (scientific name: Chelonoidis niger phantasticus), also known as the Narborough Island giant tortoise, is a special type of Galápagos tortoise. For a long time, scientists thought this tortoise was extinct, meaning it had completely disappeared from Earth. However, in February 2019, an amazing discovery was made: a single female tortoise was found alive on Fernandina Island! In May 2021, genetic tests confirmed that this female tortoise truly belonged to the Chelonoidis niger phantasticus subspecies. You might sometimes see its scientific name spelled as phantastica, but the correct spelling is phantasticus.
Understanding Tortoise Families: Taxonomy
Just like all other Galápagos tortoises, the Fernandina Island tortoise is part of a larger group. Scientists use a system called taxonomy to classify living things. This helps them understand how different animals are related. Some scientists consider the Fernandina Island tortoise a unique subspecies of Chelonoidis niger, while others believe it's a distinct species all on its own. It's a bit like how different dog breeds are all part of the same species, but also have their own special characteristics.
An Amazing Comeback: Discovery and Rediscovery
The Fernandina Island Galápagos tortoise was first known from just one male tortoise. This tortoise was collected by members of the 1906 California Academy of Sciences expedition. After that, for many years, there were only hints that these tortoises might still exist. People reported seeing possible tortoise droppings or bite marks on cactus plants in 1964 and 2013. There was even an unconfirmed sighting in 2009.
But no one found a live tortoise or its remains on Fernandina Island until February 2019. That's when an expedition found an elderly female tortoise. This tortoise was a potential endling, which means she might have been the very last one of her kind. To help protect her and her species, the tortoise was moved to a special breeding center on nearby Santa Cruz Island. Here, scientists are conducting genetic tests and hoping to find a suitable male tortoise for her to mate with. This would help bring the subspecies back from the brink of extinction.
The 2019 expedition was a joint effort by the Galapagos National Park Directorate and Galapagos Conservancy. It was led by Washington Tapia-Aguilera, who works to restore giant tortoise populations. The team included four dedicated rangers: Jeffreys Málaga, Eduardo Vilema, Roberto Ballesteros, and Simon Villamar. The exciting search and discovery were even featured on a television show called Extinct or Alive. Ranger Jeffreys Málaga played a key role, using his knowledge of the land to track and find the tortoise.
In May 2021, officials shared exciting news. Genetic tests had confirmed that the female tortoise found in 2019 was indeed a member of the Chelonoidis niger phantasticus subspecies. Scientists from Yale University compared her DNA with a sample from the male tortoise collected in 1906. These important genetic findings were officially published in 2022.
Following this incredible confirmation, the Director of the Galapagos National Park, Danny Rueda, announced that more expeditions have been launched to Fernandina Island. The goal of these ongoing searches is to find other members of this rare tortoise subspecies, especially a male, to help ensure its survival.
See also
In Spanish: Tortuga gigante de Fernandina para niños
