What is "geochelone"

Geochelone \Geochelone\ n. A genus of giant tortoises.

Syn: genus Geochelone.

n. Any of several large tortoises of the genus (taxlink Geochelone genus pedia=1).

Geochelone is a genus of tortoises.

Geochelone tortoises, which are also known as typical tortoises or terrestrial turtles, can be found in Africa and Asia. They primarily eat plants.

The genus consists of three extant species:

• Indian star tortoise (G. elegans)
• Burmese star tortoise (G. platynota)
• African spurred tortoise (G. sulcata)

There are two extinct species that inhabited the Canary Islands:

• Tenerife giant tortoise (G. burchardi)
• Gran Canaria giant tortoise (G. vulcanica)

A number of tortoise species have been recently removed from the genus. This taxon as formerly defined was " polyphyletic, representing at least four independent clades". Tortoises removed include members of Aldabrachelys (from the Seychelles and Madagascar), Astrochelys (Madagascar), Chelonoidis ( South America and the Galápagos Islands), Stigmochelys (Africa) and earlier, the extinct genus Colossochelys (southern Asia).