Identity of Three New Sea Turtles Named by J. Friedrich Eschscholtz

Abstract

Abstract Johann Friedrich Eschscholtz published two herpetological titles, the first in a journal named Quatember. Until now, this paper, which contains descriptions of three sea turtle taxa, including Chelonia olivacea, has been overlooked, and the nomenclatural implications have been ignored. The Quatember paper preceded, and has precedence over, Eschscholtz's better known Zoologischer Atlas, and therefore is the earliest description of C. olivacea. However, Plate III of the Atlas remains the earliest illustration for what is today called Lepidochelys olivacea.