4 
"Distribution of Geochelone carbonaria in South America", the four 
localities discussed above, plus eleven others, of specimens in the 
MZUSP collection accepted and cited by Pritchard and Trebbau as 
proper G. carbonaria . It is easy to see that figure 36 does not 
correctly portray the evidence contained in the text. These eleven 
localities, not challenged by the authors, fall outside the area 
they assign to G. carbonaria . but fit very well with the questioned 
records. 
MAP 1. Distribution of Geochelone carbonaria . Base map, 
Pritchard and Tretbau's (1964) figLre 36. Solid circle, 
localities cited by Pritchard & Trefcfasu. Cpen circle, new 
localities: 1, Nova Olinda; 2, Aldeia CoatS; 3, Parintins, 
(former Villa Bella); 4, Monte Cristo, Aveiro & Fordlandia; 
5, Santartm & Taperirha; 6, Lago Jacare, As Pedras & Boca do 
CuninS-Miri; 7, Colorado d'Oeste. 
This disturbing conclusion, 
i.e, that Pritchard and Trebbau did 
not make proper use of their own 
distributional data, is strengthened 
by an examination of their Appendix 
A, the list of all localities used 
in preparing the distributional 
maps. This appendix is extremely 
heterogeneous, and errors of all 
types abound. Taking into account 
substance rather than form, I shall 
leave aside mistakes in accentuation 
(e.g. "Orteguaza"), cedille (e.g. 
"Araga" for Araca), change of 
letters (e.g. "Placida de Castro" 
for Placido; "Araca" for Aragu), 
which annoy the orderly mind and 
undermine confidence in the work, 
but do not really cause excessive 
trouble in identifying the locality. 
I shall leave out also mistakes that 
prevent the precise identification 
of the locality, but not of the 
general area. For instance, "Outian 
Rio Uneuixi, near Tapurucuara 
(EPA 73.0854)" ( Podocnemis expansa ) 
contains a misreading of a 
handwritten name: Outian is actually 
Antran. But the Uneuixi is a short 
river and, on the geographical scale 
used, the information is valid. 
Taking into account, then, only errors that really put at risk 
the mapping of species distribution, I still find too many of them 
in Pritchard and Trebbau's list. Here are some examples: 
"Brasil, Goias. Basily Lampiere (MN 53)". (Podocnemis 
expansa ). Basily Lampieri is the collector (U. Caramaschi, in 
