A New Tortoise, Genus Gopherus, From North-central Mexico

In this detailed scientific report, the author examines a collection of tortoise specimens gathered from north‑central Mexico and discovers that they represent a previously unrecognized member of the genus Gopherus. The paper introduces the new species, Gopherus flavomarginatus, and explains how it was differentiated from its Mexican relatives through careful morphological analysis. The findings are set within the broader context of mid‑twentieth‑century herpetology, referencing earlier records that hinted at undiscovered diversity.

The description focuses on the animal’s striking shell, a flat‑topped carapace with pale yellow to straw coloration punctuated by dark‑centered laminae and bright yellow marginal bands edged in black. Measurements from the holotype and several paratypes reveal a sizeable tortoise, with carapace lengths ranging from 22 to 37 cm and a notably wide skull. Additional diagnostic traits include a broad, low‑arched shell, distinctive gular projections, and unique patterns of hardened scales on the limbs. Together, these details provide a comprehensive picture of a species that had remained hidden in museum collections for decades.