Cylindraspis

Skull of a Cylindraspis Type of Mauritius.

Cylindraspis is a genus of extinct giant tortoises on the Mascarene Islands. When these turtles were first discovered, were the islands of the Mascarene very large turtle populations. These were widely used after the beginning of human occupation and possibly eradicated thereby. Other possible reasons might be entrained rats or predators.

The tank of the giant tortoises of the Mascarene was partially regressed. This is certainly one hand to the greater distance from the mainland, which allowed a longer independent evolution as in the Seychelles, on the other hand, the fact that these islands were predator- free and thus the tank was unnecessary.

Swell

• Austin JJ, Arnold EN; 2001; Ancient mitochondrial DNA and morphology of extinct eludicate Iceland radiation of Indian Ocean giant tortoises ( Cylindraspis ); Proceedings of the Royal Society