The Australian gulf snapping turtle Elseya lavarackorum (Testudines: Chelidae) revisited—Is the late Pleistocene fossil species extant?

Disagreement exists on the taxonomic identity of extant populations Australian Elseya referred to in 1992 as gulf (= sp. aff. dentata [Nicholson]). The form has since 1997 been considered conspecific with late Pleistocene fossil lavarackorum (White and Archer, 1994). Recently it a new species, oneiros Joseph-Ouni et al., 2020, another found same site stratum . Here we re-examine material reassess characters used by previous authors an attempt decide issue. We find that anterior bridge suture carapace is associated extensive prominent plastral elements, which led misinterpretation this structure. furthermore show interindividual variation sulci patterns so great render them little value. On basis (a) deviation shape from ovoid such that, aged individuals, most point occurs at marginal scutes M2 (a resultant nuchal bay individuals); (b) typical absence cervical scute; (c) no evidence medial constriction strut suture; (d) any other informative value; conclude decision consider (ca 23 kyr old) [Nicholson] 1994) should stand.