General species ID text

[SeeShell]

I wonder if anyone can recommend a text / book which gives a good basic overview (preferably with pics) of different species (and subspecies) with clear guidance on identifying features. I'm particularly looking for something on meds. I have a few basic books but they don't go into much detail and I find the text with the few pictures there are aren't very comprehensive.
Thanks
SS

[EJ]

Holgar Vetter is probably the best book out there.

Originally Posted by SeeShell

I wonder if anyone can recommend a text / book which gives a good basic overview (preferably with pics) of different species (and subspecies) with clear guidance on identifying features. I'm particularly looking for something on meds. I have a few basic books but they don't go into much detail and I find the text with the few pictures there are aren't very comprehensive.
Thanks
SS

[SeeShell]

Found it; looks good. Thanks Ed

[egyptiandan64]

It doesn't though tell you the difference between species or subspecies. It does have great pictures though. The Chelonian Library book 2 on Hermanns tortoises, by Holger Vetter, is very good for telling apart the subspecies of Hermanns. Turtles of the World, by F. Bonin, B. Devaux and A. Dupre is pretty good for telling apart the Testudo genus. It is a bit out of date with taxonomy and doesn't have great pictures. But it's pretty good none the less.

Danny

[EJ]

a bit out of date...??????

Can you give us a more 'up to date' reference?????

I don't agree with the European taxonomy but both Vetter and Bonin, Devaux and Dupre are the most current. If there is more current... please feel free to bring us up to date.

Originally Posted by egyptiandan64

It doesn't though tell you the difference between species or subspecies. It does have great pictures though. The Chelonian Library book 2 on Hermanns tortoises, by Holger Vetter, is very good for telling apart the subspecies of Hermanns. Turtles of the World, by F. Bonin, B. Devaux and A. Dupre is pretty good for telling apart the Testudo genus. It is a bit out of date with taxonomy and doesn't have great pictures. But it's pretty good none the less.

Danny

[egyptiandan64]

You already know Ed that once an all species turtle and tortoise book is published it is going to be out of date taxonomy wise with the way it's been changing lately. Published papers would be the closest thing to up to date taxonomy that you can get.

Danny

[EJ]

Unfortunately... published papers can me done so via the internet.

Peer reviewed papers are still the most credible resource.

Taxonomy does not change over night.

On the African tortoises... Loveridgre is still my number one resource.

Originally Posted by egyptiandan64

You already know Ed that once an all species turtle and tortoise book is published it is going to be out of date taxonomy wise with the way it's been changing lately. Published papers would be the closest thing to up to date taxonomy that you can get.

Danny

[SeeShell]

Thanks. I'll look at Turtles of the World. Where's the best place to find research/published papers etc?