Three New Specimens Contribute to Science and Conservation in Galápagos
At Galápagos Conservancy, we take pride in supporting scientific research and preserving the archipelago’s natural heritage. This week, we contributed three significant specimens to the Vertebrate Collection at the Charles Darwin Research Station. As the largest repository of natural history specimens from the Galápagos Islands, this collection houses over 135,000 specimens representing approximately 7,500 species. The zoological collection serves as an invaluable resource for studying and conserving the region’s rich biodiversity.
Specimens Contributed
- Pink Iguana (Conolophus marthae): We provided a complete skeleton of a pink iguana, found on Wolf Volcano on the northern end of Isabela Island during a Galápagos Conservancy expedition to the volcano. This critically endangered and endemic species still lacks a designated holotype—a reference specimen essential for the species’ classification. This contribution has the potential to become the official holotype of the pink iguana, representing a significant milestone in the scientific documentation of this recently discovered species.
- “Aplastado” Giant Tortoise (Chelonoidis vicina): We have delivered the shell of a male giant tortoise discovered during a Galápagos Conservancy expedition to Cerro Azul Volcano on Southern Isabela Island. This shell exhibits a distinctive flattened morphology, otherwise known as “aplastado,” a form uniquely documented in Cerro Azul tortoises. With no prior records of specimens of this distinct form, study of this shell will expand our understanding of morphological variability among Galápagos giant tortoises.
- Eastern Santa Cruz Giant Tortoise (Chelonoidis donfaustoi): A complete shell from this species, found in 2020, the first known shell of an adult Chelonoidis donfaustoi, will be included in the Charles Darwin Research Station’s collection.
Scientific Value and Future Perspectives
These specimens will be preserved as part of the scientific collection, highlighting the importance of physical records for the study and conservation of the unique reptiles of Galápagos.
The inclusion of these specimens significantly strengthens our knowledge of Galápagos biodiversity and creates new opportunities for long-term research. Each specimen provides valuable data on morphological variation of these key species in the archipelago.
Our commitment to conservation is reinforced with every contribution that enhances scientific collections. The integration of these specimens represents not only a step forward for research but also underscores the importance of institutional collaboration in protecting the unique species of Galápagos.
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