Context
-
A giant tortoise, found alive in 2019, has been confirmed to belong a Galápagos species long believed extinct.
About Chelonoidis phantasticus
- Named Fernanda after her Fernandina Island home, the tortoise is the first of her species, Chelonoidis phantasticus, to be identified in more than a century.
)
Photo Credit: NDTV - Chelonoidis phantasticus means “fantastic giant tortoise”. Commonly called the Fernandina Island Galápagos giant tortoise, the species was so far known only from a single individual, collected in 1906.
- Chelonoidis phantasticus means “fantastic giant tortoise”. Commonly called the Fernandina Island Galápagos giant tortoise, the species was so far known only from a single individual, collected in 1906.
Back to Basics
About Fernandina Island
- Fernandina Island is the third largest, and youngest, island of the Galápagos Islands.
- Fernandina Island is an active volcano that stands alone on western periphery of the Galapagos Archipelago and is reputed to be the largest pristine island on Earth.
About Galapagos Island
- Part of the Republic of Ecuador
- Distributed on either side of the equator in the Pacific Ocean, surrounding the centre of the Western Hemisphere
- Known for their large number of endemic species that were studied by Charles Darwin
Reference:
https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/this-word-means-chelonoidis-phantasticus-7963600/
Visit Abhiyan PEDIA (One of the Most Followed / Recommended) for UPSC Revisions: Click Here
IAS Abhiyan is now on Telegram: Click on the Below link to Join our Channels to stay Updated
IAS Abhiyan Official: Click Here to Join
For UPSC Mains Value Edition (Facts, Quotes, Best Practices, Case Studies): Click Here to Join