Taxonomic revision of Chinemys pani (Testudines: Geoemydidae) from the Pleistocene of Taiwan and its implications of conservation paleobiology

Proper taxonomic identification is critical to our understanding of biodiversity and the underlying evolutionary history. Here we re-examine the cast of the holotype of <em>Chinemys pani</em>, a geoemydid turtle from the Pleistocene of Taiwan; the actual specimen was not curated appropriately after the original publication and was most likely lost. Our results provide substantial evidence to show that <em>Chinemys pani</em>should be identified as <em>Mauremys reevesii</em>. The replica, though not ideal, preserves various morphological features that allow reliable taxonomic identification to <em>Mauremys reevesii</em>, including the presence of three longitudinal keels on the carapace, the second to sixth neural bones anteriorly short-sided, the lack of movable plastral hinge. In addition, we also confirm that the original diagnostic features that established the new taxon: <em>Chinemys pani</em>– are polymorphic characters of <em>Mauremys reevesii</em>. Our taxonomic revision of a Pleistocene geoemydid turtle from Taiwan resolves the debate on whether <em>Mauremys reevesii</em>should be a native turtle in Taiwan instead of an introduced invasive species. More importantly, this study offers new insights into the origin of modern biodiversity in Taiwan and gives a straightforward example of how fossils can be applied to conservation policies.Proper taxonomic identification is critical to our understanding of biodiversity and the underlying evolutionary history. Here we re-examine the cast of the holotype of <em>Chinemys pani</em>, a geoemydid turtle from the Pleistocene of Taiwan; the actual specimen was not curated appropriately after the original publication and was most likely lost. Our results provide substantial evidence to show that <em>Chinemys pani</em>should be identified as <em>Mauremys reevesii</em>. The replica, though not ideal, preserves various morphological features that allow reliable taxonomic identification to <em>Mauremys reevesii</em>, including the presence of three longitudinal keels on the carapace, the second to sixth neural bones anteriorly short-sided, the lack of movable plastral hinge. In addition, we also confirm that the original diagnostic features that established the new taxon: <em>Chinemys pani</em>– are polymorphic characters of <em>Mauremys reevesii</em>. Our taxonomic revision of a Pleistocene geoemydid turtle from Taiwan resolves the debate on whether <em>Mauremys reevesii</em>should be a native turtle in Taiwan instead of an introduced invasive species. More importantly, this study offers new insights into the origin of modern biodiversity in Taiwan and gives a straightforward example of how fossils can be applied to conservation policies.