U.S. Geological Survey, Biological Resources Division, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center
Reference for:
Sphenodon punctatus
Source(s):
Source:
NODC Taxonomic Code
Acquired:
1996-07-29
Notes:
Reference for:
Sphenodon punctatus
Publication(s):
Author(s)/Editor(s):
Hay, Jennifer M., Stephen D. Sarre, David M. Lambert, Fred W. Allendorf, and Charles H. Daugherty
Publication Date (Listed/Actual):
2010-06-01 / 2010-06-01
Article/Chapter Title:
Genetic diversity and taxonomy: a reassessment of species designation in tuatara (Sphenodon: Reptilia)
Journal/Book Name, Vol. No.:
Conservation Genetics, vol. 11, no. 3
Page(s):
1063-1081
Publisher:
Publication Place:
ISBN/ISSN:
/1566-0621
Notes:
DOI: 10.1007/s10592-009-9952-7
Reference for:
Sphenodon punctatus
Author(s)/Editor(s):
Daugherty, C. H., A. Cree, J. M. Hay, and M. B. Thompson
Publication Date (Listed/Actual):
1990-09-13 / 1990-09-13
Article/Chapter Title:
Neglected taxonomy and continuing extinctions of tuatara (Sphenodon)
Journal/Book Name, Vol. No.:
Nature, vol. 347, no. 6289
Page(s):
177-179
Publisher:
Publication Place:
ISBN/ISSN:
/0028-0836
Notes:
doi:10.1038/347177a0
Reference for:
Sphenodon punctatus
Sphenodon punctatus: Geographic Information
Geographic Division:
Australia
Jurisdiction/Origin:
Sphenodon punctatus: Comments
Comment:
There is a clear genetic separation between the population on North Brother Island and two other groups (western Cook Strait islands and all northern populations) on the basis of both allozyme genetic and morphometric variation (Daugherty et al. 1990). However, the split does not seem to be as deep as initially thought and as a consequence, Hay et al. (2010) recommended to treat all Tuataras as a single species, (i.e. synonymize guntheri with punctatus). Sphenodon punctatus reischeki Wettstein, 1943 is not generally recognized (see Hay et al., 2010)