‘Rediscovery’ of the Type Series of Elseya caelatus berau (Testudines : Chelidae) – Registration and Current Images

Abstract

Elseya caelatus berau was described by Joseph-Ouni & McCord (2023) as a localized chelid snapping turtles subspecies confined to the southern coastal Vogelkop Pensinsula, New Guinea along the freshwater drainages of the northeastern Berau Gulf. Though known for several decades, formal description was eventually hampered by the conclusion that the type series was destroyed during the failure of a preservation system; consequently the taxon was described under article 73.1.4 of the ICZN code permitting the use of digital images in select circumstances. Here we report on the fortunate ‘rediscovery’ of the type series, which have now been accessioned in the Yale Peabody Museum. Considered potentially extinct at the time of description, we remain unaware of any additional specimens since 1994. Museum registration numbers of the holotype and paratype, as well as images of their current condition upon relocation are presented.