taxonID	type	description	language	source
0389878AA81AFFEBFF01FDB5FE9AFBEF.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis: The members of the genus Elseya can be diagnosed by the following combination of external characters — head and neck, when extended, much shorter than the carapace; gular scutes entirely separated by the intergular scute; prominent alveolar ridge on the triturating surfaces of the jaw sheaths (secondarily reduced in Elseya schultzei, E. novaeguineae and E. rhodini); a horny casque (head shield) on top of the head of adults, entire, fragmented or deeply fenestrated; temporal region covered with prominent scales; front feet with five claws, rear with four claws. The anterior bridge strut of Elseya is angled sharply (approx. 45 °) away from the rib / gomophosis of pleural one, a character shared with Emydura but excluding Elusor, Pseudemydura, Rheodytes, Myuchelys and Flaviemys. The anterior and posterior sides of the anterior bridge suture in Elseya are widely spaced both proximally and distally, with or without a medial constriction, whereas in Emydura only the proximal end of the suture is expanded followed by immediate constriction to a diameter confluent with the peripheral part of the bridge suture.	en	Thomson, Scott, Amepou, Yolarnie, Anamiato, Jim, Georges, Arthur (2015): A new species and subgenus of Elseya (Testudines: Pleurodira: Chelidae) from New Guinea. Zootaxa 4006 (1): 59-82, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4006.1.3
0389878AA81AFFEAFF01F9F1FAF5FB76.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis: A medial constriction in suture between the anterior bridge strut and the carapace; ileum sutures to the carapace on the posterior 2 / 3 of the 8 th pleural (Figure 2); cervical scute absent except as a rare variant; parietal arch narrow; no prominent process of the head shield extending down the parietal ridge toward the tympanum; temporal region covered with prominent scales; temporal stripes absent; lingual ridge on the ramphotheca and the dentary bones absent; alveolar ridge moderately developed, narrow, clearly visible on the ramphotheca and the underlying dentary (Figure 3). Referred species: Elseya dentata (Gray 1863: 98), Elseya branderhorsti (Ouwens 1914), Elseya sp. aff. dentata (Sth Alligator) (sensu Georges & Adams 1992). (Figure 4) FIGURE 2. Comparison of the ileum suture of A. Elseya branderhorsti and B. Elseya rhodini. P 7 — Pleural 7, P 8 — Pleural 8, SP — Suprapygal, Pe 10 — 10 th Peripheral, Pe 11 — 11 th Peripheral, T 8 — 8 th Thoracic Vertebrae, T 9 — 9 th Thoracic Vertebrae.	en	Thomson, Scott, Amepou, Yolarnie, Anamiato, Jim, Georges, Arthur (2015): A new species and subgenus of Elseya (Testudines: Pleurodira: Chelidae) from New Guinea. Zootaxa 4006 (1): 59-82, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4006.1.3
0389878AA81BFFEAFF01FB37FA36F80E.taxon	materials_examined	Type data: Lectotype — BMNH 1947.3.6.2 from Beagles Valley, Victoria River, Northern Territory (this study) (15 ˚ 34 ' S, 130 ˚ 54 ' E). Paralectotype — BMNH 1947.3.6.3 from Beagles Valley, Victoria River, Northern Territory (15 ˚ 34 ' S, 130 ˚ 54 ' E).	en	Thomson, Scott, Amepou, Yolarnie, Anamiato, Jim, Georges, Arthur (2015): A new species and subgenus of Elseya (Testudines: Pleurodira: Chelidae) from New Guinea. Zootaxa 4006 (1): 59-82, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4006.1.3
0389878AA81BFFEAFF01FB37FA36F80E.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis — Large short-necked chelid turtle. Juveniles have moderately spinose shells, reducing in prominence with age; many large adults with entire margin to the shell. Dark streaks or mottling of the otherwise cream plastron; carapace dark brown, almost black. Head shield entire, not as extensive or as fenestrated as the head shields of members of subgenus Pelocomastes. The alveolar ridge is moderate and does not increase the width of the triturating surface of the upper jaw in adults. Can be distinguished from all members of subgenus Pelocomastes by the medial constriction of the anterior bridge strut suture.	en	Thomson, Scott, Amepou, Yolarnie, Anamiato, Jim, Georges, Arthur (2015): A new species and subgenus of Elseya (Testudines: Pleurodira: Chelidae) from New Guinea. Zootaxa 4006 (1): 59-82, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4006.1.3
0389878AA81BFFEAFF01FB37FA36F80E.taxon	distribution	Distribution — Rivers below the Arnhem Land and Kimberley escarpments from the Daly River of the Northern Territory in the east to the Fitzroy River of Western Australia in the west. The eastern boundary of its distribution is uncertain, but it is not thought to be sympatric with Elseya sp. aff. dentata (Sth Alligator) of the Arnhem Land region.	en	Thomson, Scott, Amepou, Yolarnie, Anamiato, Jim, Georges, Arthur (2015): A new species and subgenus of Elseya (Testudines: Pleurodira: Chelidae) from New Guinea. Zootaxa 4006 (1): 59-82, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4006.1.3
0389878AA81CFFEFFF01FB61FB13FE0D.taxon	materials_examined	Type data — Holotype — lost. Original specimen from southeastern Papua, Indonesia, between the Lorentz River and Merauke, restricted this study. To avoid confusion, we hereby set PNGM R 25201 (Figure 5), an adult female Elseya branderhorsti, as neotype for this species under article 75.3 of the ICZN Code. This specimen is lodged in the Papua New Guinea Museum in Port Moresby. The specimen is 424.7 mm in carapace length, collected from the Bensbach River of the Trans-Fly region of Papua New Guinea (8 ° 50 ' 58.6896 " S., 141 ° 14 ' 52.944 " E.) close to the locality of the original type that has been lost (explained below). The designated neotype is of the same species as that from the original description of Ouwens (1914). The species occurs in sympatry with the new species of Elseya described in this paper and it is therefore important to establish representative material for both species. We also refer a male specimen (PNGM R 25202) as a second specimen collected at the same time and place as the neotype.	en	Thomson, Scott, Amepou, Yolarnie, Anamiato, Jim, Georges, Arthur (2015): A new species and subgenus of Elseya (Testudines: Pleurodira: Chelidae) from New Guinea. Zootaxa 4006 (1): 59-82, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4006.1.3
0389878AA81CFFEFFF01FB61FB13FE0D.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis — Diagnosed by the following characters: prominent head shield, cervical scute absent, prominent alveolar ridge on the triturating surfaces, carapace usually uniformly dark, lacking any regular spots; plastron uniformly cream or yellow (white in hatchlings and small juveniles); iris typically indistinct, dark, similar in color to the surrounding sclera (liquid eyes); large adult size. Affinities lie with Elseya dentata in Australia.	en	Thomson, Scott, Amepou, Yolarnie, Anamiato, Jim, Georges, Arthur (2015): A new species and subgenus of Elseya (Testudines: Pleurodira: Chelidae) from New Guinea. Zootaxa 4006 (1): 59-82, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4006.1.3
0389878AA81CFFEFFF01FB61FB13FE0D.taxon	distribution	Distribution — Lowland reaches of rivers in southern New Guinea, from the Lorenz River in the west to the Fly River in the east. Collection History — This taxon was described as Emydura branderhorsti by Ouwens (1914) based on a single live adult specimen collected in " Southern New Guinea " by Dr. Branderhorst. The only comparative material was a single juvenile specimen of El. novaeguineae (Bogor Zoological Museum BZM 18) collected in " Northern New Guinea " by Dr. Gjellerup (who worked in the Tami River area of Papua, Indonesia). The holotype was still alive in the Bogor Museum when described, but has since been lost (Leo Brongersma pers. comm. to John Goode 1967, 28 June 1963). The type locality of El. branderhorsti cannot be stated with accuracy, but it can be restricted through an examination of the travel history of Dr. Branderhorst, kindly brought to our attention by Anders Rhodin (unpubl. data). Dr. Bastiaan Branderhorst's identity initially posed a mystery. There is no record of him at the Bogor Zoological Museum, nor could his name be found in any zoological literature referable to New Guinea. Through a painstaking search of early 20 th century travel and botanical works on Dutch New Guinea, it was possible to establish his identity and reconstruct his New Guinea travels with some accuracy. Later, through the courtesy of Dr. S. Adisoemarto of the Bogor Museum, a reference was obtained which briefly summarizes some of this information (van Steenis-Kruseman 1950). Bastiaan Branderhorst was born in Holland in 1880, received an M. D. degree in Utrecht in 1906 and spent 3 years from 1907 to 1910 as a military medical officer with the Dutch Army in Dutch New Guinea, serving under A. J. Gooszen and R. L. A. Hellwig, well-known explorers (Gooszen & Hellwig 1908; Hellwig 1908; 1909; Anonymous 1910; Hellwig 1910 b; a; Anonymous 1911; Heldring 1911). In addition to his medical duties his main pursuit was the collection of botanical and ethnographic specimens for the Buitenzorg (= Bogor) Museum (Heldring 1911; Valeton 1913). He collected several hundred plants and has at least 9 species of orchids and other exotic plants named after him (Smith 1910; Burck 1911; Harms 1911; Lauterbach 1911 a; b; Pulle 1911; Smith 1911; Valeton 1911; 1913; Smith 1914). Nowhere in the literature can any reference be found as to where he collected his turtle, but his plant localities are well documented, as are his travels. Specifically, he traveled extensively in southeastern Dutch New Guinea from the Lorentz River to the coast east of Merauke. Long excursions were made up the Lorentz, Eilanden, and Digoel rivers, where many plants were collected. Branderhorst left New Guinea in 1910, eventually settling into medical practice in Pengalengan, Java, where he apparently retired in approximately 1940. From this information it is clear that the lost holotype of Emydura branderhorsti was collected somewhere in southeastern Dutch New Guinea, probably in either the Lorentz, Eilanden, or Digoel Rivers. The type locality is hereby restricted to " southeastern Papua, Indonesia, between the Lorentz River and Merauke ".	en	Thomson, Scott, Amepou, Yolarnie, Anamiato, Jim, Georges, Arthur (2015): A new species and subgenus of Elseya (Testudines: Pleurodira: Chelidae) from New Guinea. Zootaxa 4006 (1): 59-82, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4006.1.3
0389878AA811FFE0FF01FF4EFBC0FBB5.taxon	materials_examined	Type data: Holotype — ZMB 22182 collected near Sae village, Seko coast, near Skosai, ca 5 km W. mouth of Tami River, Papua, Indonesia (2 ˚ 37 ' S, 140 ˚ 54 ' E), restricted this study.	en	Thomson, Scott, Amepou, Yolarnie, Anamiato, Jim, Georges, Arthur (2015): A new species and subgenus of Elseya (Testudines: Pleurodira: Chelidae) from New Guinea. Zootaxa 4006 (1): 59-82, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4006.1.3
0389878AA811FFE0FF01FF4EFBC0FBB5.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis — Eyes typically green in the sclera with a bright gold iris which is distinct. Head shield entire, extending down the parietal arches to broadly contact the tympanum. Head shield narrower than in Elseya novaeguineae but wider than in E. rhodini. No contact between the vomer and the pterygoids of the skull, distinguishing the species from E. rhodini.	en	Thomson, Scott, Amepou, Yolarnie, Anamiato, Jim, Georges, Arthur (2015): A new species and subgenus of Elseya (Testudines: Pleurodira: Chelidae) from New Guinea. Zootaxa 4006 (1): 59-82, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4006.1.3
0389878AA811FFE0FF01FF4EFBC0FBB5.taxon	distribution	Distribution — Streams draining into the rivers of New Guinea north of the central ranges — i. e. not including the Vogelkopf and Bomberai peninsulas (Birds Head) — and east to at least Madang. Collection History — This taxon was described by Vogt (1911) based on a single specimen collected by Leonhard Schultze in an unnamed river west of the Tami River in northeastern Papua, Indonesia (type locality “ Fluss westlich der Tamimündung ” [river west of the mouth of the Tami]). Although it is impossible to give a precise locality, Schultze (1914) gave an account of his travels and a detailed map from which one can deduce that the type specimen was probably collected near Sae village, Seko coast, near Skosai, ca 5 km W. mouth of Tami River, Papua, Indonesia (2 ˚ 37 ' S, 140 ˚ 54 ' E); and the type locality is hereby so restricted. The holotype is in the Berlin collection (ZMB 22182, figured by Goode 1967). When described, Emydura schultzei was compared to and distinguished from a specimen of “ Emydura macquariae ” (ZMB 22210, figured by Goode 1967: 67) from the upper Sepik River basin south of the headwaters of the Tami River, near the Indonesia-Papua New Guinea border. The species was recognized as distinct until synonymized with E. novaeguineae by Goode (1967). That E. schultzei represents a distinct taxa has been confirmed by recent genetic studies (Georges et al. 2014). Therefore we remove this species from the synonymy of Elseya novaeguineae recognizing it as a valid taxon.	en	Thomson, Scott, Amepou, Yolarnie, Anamiato, Jim, Georges, Arthur (2015): A new species and subgenus of Elseya (Testudines: Pleurodira: Chelidae) from New Guinea. Zootaxa 4006 (1): 59-82, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4006.1.3
0389878AA812FFE7FF01FF4EFB1BFC5B.taxon	materials_examined	Type data: Holotype — PNGM R 25204 (Figure 8), adult female (carapace length: 255 mm), collected at Rue Creek (tributary of Wau Creek), Gulf Province, Papua New Guinea (07 ˚ 11 ’ 67.3 ” S, 144 ˚ 37 ’ 13.8 ” E) by Yolanie Amepou on 6 January, 2015 (Figure 9). Paratype: PNGM R 25203, adult male (carapace length: 205 mm), herein set as Allotype, collection data as per Holotype. For basic measurements of these types and others from the genus Elseya see Table 1.	en	Thomson, Scott, Amepou, Yolarnie, Anamiato, Jim, Georges, Arthur (2015): A new species and subgenus of Elseya (Testudines: Pleurodira: Chelidae) from New Guinea. Zootaxa 4006 (1): 59-82, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4006.1.3
0389878AA812FFE7FF01FF4EFB1BFC5B.taxon	etymology	Etymology — Named in honor of Anders G. J. Rhodin; Chairman Emeritus of the IUCN / SSC Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group; Founder and Director, Chelonian Research Foundation. He also researched the turtles of Papua New Guinea describing two species, Chelodina (M.) parkeri (Rhodin and Mittermeier, 1976) and Chelodina (C.) pritchardi (Rhodin, 1994). He was also one of the first to collect this new species (Rhodin and Rhodin, 1977), and the first to recognize it as new (Rhodin and Genorupa 2000).	en	Thomson, Scott, Amepou, Yolarnie, Anamiato, Jim, Georges, Arthur (2015): A new species and subgenus of Elseya (Testudines: Pleurodira: Chelidae) from New Guinea. Zootaxa 4006 (1): 59-82, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4006.1.3
0389878AA812FFE7FF01FF4EFB1BFC5B.taxon	distribution	Distribution — Streams draining into rivers in New Guinea, south of the central ranges, from the Sitekwa River region of Papua, Indonesia, to the Kikori-Purari rivers region of Papua New Guinea. Aru Islands. (Figure 1)	en	Thomson, Scott, Amepou, Yolarnie, Anamiato, Jim, Georges, Arthur (2015): A new species and subgenus of Elseya (Testudines: Pleurodira: Chelidae) from New Guinea. Zootaxa 4006 (1): 59-82, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4006.1.3
0389878AA812FFE7FF01FF4EFB1BFC5B.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis – Distinguished by gold speckling usually present in the sclera of the eye, which partially obscures the iris; base color green (Figure 10). In Elseya novaeguineae and Elseya schultzei the sclera is bright green and the iris is starkly contrasted, though the base colors of the sclera in the later is a duller and plainer green. The head shield in E. rhodini is reduced when compared to other species of this subgenus. The lateral edge of the head shield at its midpoint between the eye and the tympanum is above the level of the eye, below it in the other species. The ventral extension of the head shield down the parietal arch is also reduced, typically still reaching the tympanum, but narrower throughout its length. Posterior to the eye in E. novaeguineae and E. schultzei is a variable but generally present extension of the head shield that extends down behind the eye, in some specimens to nearly the midpoint of the eye. This is absent in E. rhodini. On the carapace the spots on the scutes of E. rhodini are visible in all growth stages, whereas in the other two species they are often faded or absent in adults. The cervical is generally present in the members of this group however it is narrower (approximately 30 % of length) in E. rhodini whereas it is usually 50 % of length in the other two species. The lateral sulcus of the first vertebral scute in both E. schultzei and E. novaeguineae contacts the center of the second marginal scute, whereas in E. rhodini it contacts the anterior ¼ of the second marginal. The skull of E. rhodini can be diagnosed by the contact of the vomer with the pterygoids posteriorly and the premaxillae anteriorly.	en	Thomson, Scott, Amepou, Yolarnie, Anamiato, Jim, Georges, Arthur (2015): A new species and subgenus of Elseya (Testudines: Pleurodira: Chelidae) from New Guinea. Zootaxa 4006 (1): 59-82, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4006.1.3
0389878AA812FFE7FF01FF4EFB1BFC5B.taxon	description	Description External Morphology Carapace — The carapace is broadly oval slightly flattened at the anterior from the 2 nd marginal. The first vertebral scute is approximately the same width as the second. The outer sulci of the first vertebral tend to intersect the 2 nd marginal close to the sulcus between the 1 st and 2 nd marginal, differing from E. novaeguineae where it is in the center of the 2 nd marginal. There is some flaring of the marginal over the hind legs, though it tends to be more pronounced in E. novaeguineae and E. schultzei than is apparent in similarly sized individuals of E. rhodini. Cervical scute is present for all three taxa, though it is usually relatively narrower in E. rhodini than in the other two species of the subgenus. The carapace is brown in color for all three species, spots may be present at the center of each major scute, these persist into adult hood in E. rhodini, are faded if present in E. schultzei and may be absent altogether in E. novaeguineae. Plastron — The plastra of all three species are very similar, being rectangular in general shape but widest at the posterior of the anterior lobe and with lateral flanging in older individuals just anterior to the rear legs on the posterior lobe. The plastral formula is generally pec> fem> abd> ana> int> hum with the gulars excluded from the midline by the intergular. The plastron is cream to yellow in color, very occasionally there is a slight pink suffusion. Head and soft parts — The color of the sclera of E. rhodini is gold flecked green, 2.5 Y 7 / 8 to 2.5 Y 8 / 8 (Munsell 2000) with the iris gold and relatively indistinct. Compared with the color of the sclera of E. novaeguineae is green with no flecks, 5 y 7 / 3 to 5 y 8 / 3 (Munsell 2000) with a very distinct gold iris, and in E. schultzei it is also green with no flecks, 5 y 7 / 6 to 5 y 8 / 6 (Munsell 2000) again with a very distinct gold iris. The dorsal surface of the head of E. rhodini is variegated in color between yellow brown to dark brown, a similar pattern is seen in E. schultzei, however E. novaeguineae tends to be far less variegated without the striking patterns seen in the other species. Size and Sexual Dimorphism — This species attains a size of approximately 240 mm carapace length with females being slightly larger than males. This is similar for all members of the subgenus Hanwarachelys. The species attains a smaller adult size than Elseya branderhorsti with which it is sympatric throughout parts of its range. Osteology Skull (Figs. 11 – 13) — Dermal roofing elements of the skull are similar in all species of Elseya, the frontals are paired and the anterior process separates the nasals almost in their entirety. Parietals are large and postero-laterally suture to the squamosal to form the parietal arch. The arch is narrow in the Elseya (Elseya) much wider in Elseya (Hanwarachelys). This feature also determines the degree of lateral extension of the head shield as it requires bone for its support. On the palatal surface there are significant differences at the species level. The vomer of E. rhodini completely divides the maxillae anteriorly to meet the pre-maxillae and posteriorly the palatines to meet the pterygoids. In E. novaeguineae both the maxillae and palatines meet at the midline. In the description of Elseya (Pelocomastes) albagula (Thomson et al, 2006) the form of the alveolar ridge was further defined and we follow this here. The lingual ridge (sensu Thomson et al, 2006) is completely absent in all members of both Elseya (Elseya) and Elseya (Hanwarachelys) its presence being a synapomorphy for the Elseya (Pelocomastes). However the alveolar ridge is present in members of the Elseya (Elseya) and is only partially present in the members of Elseya (Hanwarachelys). In E. rhodini there is no obvious alveolar ridge on the ramphotheca of the upper jaw whereas there is a reduced, though present ridge consisting of a row of raised nodules in E. novaeguineae. Cervicals — The articulation formula is the same in all three species and follows the typical chelid condition of (2 (3 (4 (5) 6) 7 (8) (sensu Williams 1950). Shell — The carapace of members of the Elseya (Elseya) differ from members of the Elseya (Hanwarachelys) in the structure of the bridge strut suture, the former having a medial constriction, present in all three species, whereas this is absent in all members of the latter. Further the sutural scar of the ileum in the E. (Elseya) is separated from the anterior suture of the 8 th pleural with this scar occupying the posterior 2 / 3 of the 8 th pleural and continuing onto the pygal. In E. (Hanwarachelys) this scar is adjacent to the anterior suture of the 8 th pleural occupying the full width and also continuing on to the pygal (Figure 2). All members of the E. (Hanwarachelys) normally possess a cervical scute, absent in E. (Elseya) and E. (Pelocomastes). All three species of Elseya (Hawarachelys) lack exposed neural bones (sensu Thomson & Georges 1996) a feature common to the entire genus. There are slight differences in the general morphology of the shell between the three species within E. (Hanwarachelys), but subject to considerable within species variation.	en	Thomson, Scott, Amepou, Yolarnie, Anamiato, Jim, Georges, Arthur (2015): A new species and subgenus of Elseya (Testudines: Pleurodira: Chelidae) from New Guinea. Zootaxa 4006 (1): 59-82, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4006.1.3
0389878AA817FFE6FF01FF41FD60FDC5.taxon	materials_examined	Type Species: Elseya uberrima (de Vis 1897) sensu Thomson (2000).	en	Thomson, Scott, Amepou, Yolarnie, Anamiato, Jim, Georges, Arthur (2015): A new species and subgenus of Elseya (Testudines: Pleurodira: Chelidae) from New Guinea. Zootaxa 4006 (1): 59-82, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4006.1.3
0389878AA817FFE6FF01FF41FD60FDC5.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis: This subgenus can be diagnosed by the presence of extensive lingual ridges in addition to the alveolar ridges present on both the ramphotheca and the underlying dentary. The complete absence of a medial constriction in the anterior bridge strut and in part by the presence of the ileum suture being in contact with the suture between the 7 th and 8 th pleurals. The head shield is deeply fenestrated but does not extend down the parietal arch towards the tympanum. Cervical scute is typically absent and the first vertebral scute is wider than the second. Referred Species: Elseya uberrima (de Vis 1897), Elseya lavarackorum (White & Archer 1994), Elseya irwini (Cann 1997), Elseya albagula (Thomson et al. 2006), Elseya nadibajagu (Thomson & Mackness 1999), Elseya sp. aff. (Daintree) (sensu Todd et al. 2014). (Figure 1)	en	Thomson, Scott, Amepou, Yolarnie, Anamiato, Jim, Georges, Arthur (2015): A new species and subgenus of Elseya (Testudines: Pleurodira: Chelidae) from New Guinea. Zootaxa 4006 (1): 59-82, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4006.1.3
