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snakes, ICZN, Antaresia, Apodora, Aspidites, Bothrochilus, Broghammerus, Leiopython, Liasis, Morelia, Python, taxa
Pythons (family Pythonidae) represent a family of non-venomous basal snakes within the superfamily Pythonoidea Fitzinger, 1826 (sensu
Table 1. New and resurrected taxa from 1999 until 2010. Numbers in parentheses represent the number of taxa deemed unavailable.
Year | New genera | Resurrected genera | New species | Resurrected species | Elevated to species rank | New subspecies | Resurrected subspecies |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1999 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
2000 | 2(1) | 2 | 5 | 0 | 8 | 7 | 2 |
2001 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
2002 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
2003 | 0 | (1) | 1(2) | (1) | 0 | (3) | 0 |
2004 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 0 |
2005 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2006 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2007 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2008 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
2009 | (2) | 0 | 0 | (2) | (1)1 | (4)1 | 0 |
2010 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Total* | 4 | 6 | 12 | 1 | 17 | 19 | 2 |
One author, the amateur herpetologist Raymond T.
Hoser of Victoria, Australia, has caused considerable confusion in
python taxonomy over the last decade by describing numerous taxa (6 new
genera and subgenera, 4 new species, and 19 new subspecies) in the
non-peer-reviewed literature without providing adequate descriptions for
his proposed new taxa (for discussions see
In general, the professional herpetological community has rarely accepted Hoser's taxa (
The primary objective of this taxonomic checklist is to provide an overview of the taxa in the family Pythonidae,
and to establish their nomenclatural status under the provisions of
the Code and their current taxonomical status based on published works
and knowledge. It is, however, beyond the scope of this list to
propose re-classifications or re-arrangements of genera that lack fully
resolved phylogenetic relationships. Although this checklist can only be
a snapshot in time, it is intended to continue the work of
Taxa are hierarchically arranged by indentation, and are presented in alphabetical order at the level of genera, species, and subspecies, although, in the case of subspecies, the nominate subspecies precedes other subspecies, which then are listed in alphabetical order. Annotations are made directly below the relevant taxon, unless otherwise stated. Synonyms before the year 1999, and remarks on valid taxa, unless new data are available, can be found in McDiarmidet al. (1999). A key to the extent genera, species and subspecies recognized within the family of Pythonidae is provided in Appendix 2.
Interpretation and application of the CodeThe Code rules on issues regarding nomenclatural acts and
works, and aims to “provide the maximum universality and continuity in
the scientific names of animals compatible with the freedom of
scientists to classify animals according to taxonomic judgments” (
APP1. “Characters”: To be available a name must
“be accompanied by a description or definition that states in words
characters that are purported to differentiate the taxon” (
APP2. “Generalized statements”: Generalized statements such as “separated by distribution” or “separated by analysis of DNA” or relative statements such as “usually (but not always) has” do not constitute a character in the sense of article 13.1.1 (APP1). Analysis of DNA clearly describes a method although genomic differences are of diagnostic value, and distribution itself is not a character, as it is not intrinsic to any specimen within the taxon. Therefore, these are not attributes of an organism (see glossary for character). Moreover, strictly following the glossary definition of the word description, the Code would require that a taxon must be uniquely distinguished from other taxa and generalized statements do not imply uniqueness.
APP3. “Priority”: Article 23.3.5 requires the replacement of an unavailable name with the oldest available synonym (senior synonym).
APP4. “Incorrect subsequent spelling”: Article
33.3 states that “any subsequent spelling of a name different from the
correct original spelling, other than a mandatory change or an
emendation, is an “incorrect subsequent spelling”; it is not an
available name and, like an incorrect original spelling (…), it does
not enter into homonymy and cannot be used as a substitute name” (
APP5. “Nomen dubium”(pl. nomina dubia): According to the glossary of the Code a nomen dubium is “a name of unknown or doubtful application” (
APP6. “Nomen nudum” (pl. nomina nuda):For generic names to be available, the Code requires “the fixation of a type species in the original publication” (
APP7. “Species inquirenda”(pl. species inquirendae): This is “a Latin term meaning a species of doubtful identity requiring further investigation” (
APP8. “Unavailable name”: A name is regarded as
unavailable under the provisions of the Code, if either the
requirements for publication or the requirements for availability are
not met. This seems to be the case for names published by Hoser in his
self-published Australasian Journal of Herpetology. Although the
journal’s website states that several hard copies were placed in
libraries to comply with the Code, these authors were unable to locate
hard copies from any major European or North American library, or
obtain such from the publisher when first issued (also see
Recommendations 8B–D). An order form for hard copies (http://www.smuggled.com/AJHHCO1.htm,
accessed 17 May 2009) was added to the publisher’s website on 7 May
2009. The National Library of Australia (NLA), the only library that
lists this journal in their catalog, also has no hard copy (enquiry #
NLAref21927, 16 April 2009) and only the PDF of the second issue (
AM Australian Museum, Sydney, Australia
AMNH American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY, USA
BPBM Bernice P. Bishop Museum, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
CAS California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, California, USA
FMNH Field Museum, Chicago, IL, USA
MCZ Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
NMV Museum of Victoria, Melbourne, Australia
MNHN Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle, Paris, France
QM Queensland Museum, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
RMNH Naturalis, Leiden, The Netherlands
SAMA South Australian Museum, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
UTA University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
WAM Western Australian Museum, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
ZFMK Zoologisches Forschungsinstitut und Museum Koenig, Bonn, Germany
ZMUC Zoologisk Museum, Copenhagen, Denmark
Checklist of the Pythonidae
Antaresia maculosa brentonoloughlini Hoser, 2004
AM R16772.
16 km east of Coen, Queensland, Australia.
AM R69087.
Wilcannia, New South Wales, Australia.
The holotype of this taxon is also the paratype of Antaresia stimsoni orientalis Smith, 1985.
Antaresia stimsoni campbelli Hoser 2000
Liasis papuanus Peters & Doria –
Apodora papuana (Peters & Doria) –
Aspidites melanocephalus adelynensis Hoser, 2000
Aspidites melanocephalus davieii Hoser, 2000
Aspidites melanocephalus rickjonesii Hoser, 2009 (unavailable name, APP8)
WAM R51208 (see remarks).
Wyndham, Western Australia.
WAM R46170.
Tom Price, Western Australia.
Contrary to
WAM 46170.
Tom Price, Western Australia.
Aspidites ramsayi panoptes Hoser, 2000
Aspidites ramsayi richardjonesii Hoser, 2000
Aspidites ramsayi neildavieii Hoser, 2009 (unavailable name, APP8)
Aspidites ramsayi neildavieii Hoser, 2009 [unavailable name (APP8)]
WAM 34070.
near Port Hedland, Western Australia.
Designation of the same type as for Aspidites ramsayi richardjonesi. The name is considered “not published” under the provisions of the Code (APP8) but would nevertheless be an objective junior synonym of Aspidites ramsayi richardjonesi.
Aspidites ramsayi richardjonesii –
WAM R43459.
Burracoppin, Western Australia.
Distinguished from “the main race” by lower average ventral and subcaudal scale counts (citing
WAM R34070.
near Port Hedland, Western Australia.
Austroliasis Hoser, 2000 (incorrect subsequent spelling, APP4)
Austroliasis amethystinus clarki (Barbour) –
Australiasis amethystina clarki (Barbour) –
Australiasis clarki (Barbour) –
Python reticulatusSchneider, 1801
Subsequent workers did not recognize Broghammerus until a new analysis combining morphological and molecular evidence (
ZFMK 32378. Type locality: Rengit, West Malaysia; designated by
Python reticulatus reticulatus (Schneider) –
Broghammerus reticulatus dalegibbonsi Hoser, 2004
Broghammerus reticulatus euanedwardsi Hoser, 2004
Broghammerus reticulatus neilsonnemani Hoser, 2004
Broghammerus reticulatus patrickcouperi Hoser, 2004
Broghammerus reticulatus stuartbigmorei Hoser, 2004
For records in western Thailand, see
FMNH 142320.
Ambon, Makulu (=Moluccas), Indonesia.
FMNH 180232.
Nakhom Ratchasima, Central Thailand.
FMNH 148968.
Sarawak, Borneo, West Malaysia.
In the original description,
ZFMK 73475.
Tanahjampea Island, Indonesia.
This subspecies was recognized by
FMNH 53272.
Davao Province, Mindanao Island, Philippine Islands.
In the diagnosis for this taxon,
MCZ R-25266.
“Djamplong”, South Timor, Indonesia. The MCZ online collection database provides the following information on the locality: “Djamplong, S Timor Indoaustralia, Indonesia, Timor Timur?, Nusa Tenggara”.
ZFMK 73473.
Selayar Island, Indonesia.
Although this taxon was recognized by subsequent workers (e.g.,
MCZ R-8003.
Buitenzore (believed a misspelling of Buitenzorg, the Dutch colonial name for Bogor), Java, Indonesia.
Austroliasis timorensis (Peters) –
Australiasis timorensis (Peters) –
Python timorensis (Peters) –
Broghammerus timoriensis (Peters)–
Doubts were casted in literature that this species occurs on Timor (e.g.,
Chondropython viridis (Schlegel, 1872) –
Chondropython viridis viridis (Schlegel) –
Morelia viridis (Schlegel) –
Morelia azurea (Meyer, 1874) – this paper
Resurrected from the synonymy of Morelia viridis by
AM R129716.
Normanby Island, d’Entrecasteaux Archipelago, Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea.
NMV D51862.
Cape York, Queensland, Australia.
Helionomous Gray, 1841 (nomen nudum) –
The type species for Heleionomus Gray, 1842 is Heleionomus variegatus [= Python natalensis]. The resurrection of the genus Heleionomus for Python sebae and Python natalensis is unwarranted because the actual status of natalensis and sebae has not been fully resolved and, furthermore, separation from Python would compromise monophyly of the genus Python.
Python carinatus Smith, 1980
Liasis fuscus Peters, 1873
Dauan (as Cornwallis) Island, Torres Straits, Australia.
Katrinus cornwallisius Günther, 1879 was resurrected from the synonymy of Liasis fuscus by
WAM R13882.
Kalumburu, Western Australia.
Recent studies revealed that Bothrochilus and Leiopython form a clade. Thus, since
Leiopython albertisii barkeri Hoser, 2000 (nomen nudum, APP6, see below)
Bothrochilus albertisii (Peters & Doria) –
Leiopython albertisi barkerorum Hoser –
Leiopython albertisi barkerorum Hoser, 2009 (APP4, APP8, see introduction)
Leiopython albertisii bennetti Hoser 2000
Leiopython bennettorum Hoser –
BPBM 5452.
near Wau, Morobe Province, Papua New Guinea.
The original spelling bennetti (
RMNH 10193.
Biak Island.
CAS 118906.
Karimui, Simbu Province, Papua New Guinea.
Leiopython albertisii (Peters & Doria) –
Leiopython hoserae Hoser –
AMNH R-107150.
Wipim, Western Province, Papua New Guinea.
AMNH R-95535.
Lae, Huon Peninsula, Morobe Province, Papua New Guinea.
Python boeleni Brongersma, 1953.
Katrinus Hoser, 2000
?Morelia sp. –
QMF 9132, mid-trunk vertebra.
Main Quarry, Allingham Formation (early Pliocene), Bluff Downs Station, northeastern Queensland.
Katrinus fuscus (Peters) –
Liasis fuscus Peters –
Katrinus fuscus fuscus (Peters) –
Katrinus fuscus cornwallisius(Günther, 1879) –
Katrinus mackloti (Duméril & Bibron, 1844) –
Liasis mackloti Duméril & Bibron –
Katrinus mackloti mackloti (Duméril & Bibron) –
Liasis mackloti mackloti Duméril & Bibron –
Katrinus mackloti dunni (Stull) –
Liasis mackloti dunni Stull –
Katrinus savuensis (Brongersma) –
Liasis mackloti savuensis Brongersma –
Referred to as Liasis savuensis by some authors (
Liasis olivacea Gray, 1842 –
Morelia antiqua (Smith & Plane, 1985) –
Liasis olivacea Gray, 1842 –
We accept the subspecies proposed by
Montypythonoides riversleighensis Smith & Plane, 1985 [extinct species]
Lenhoserus Hoser, 2000
Chondropython Meyer, 1874 –
Nyctophilopython Wells & Wellington, 1985 –
Montypythonoides Smith & Plane, 1985 –
Australiasis Wells & Wellington, 1984 –
Austroliasis amethistina (Schneider) –
Australiasis amethistina (Schneider) –
Australiasis amethystina clarki (Barbour, 1914) –
Australiasis duceboracensis (Günther, 1879) –
Australiasis amethistina (Scheider) –
Australiasis dipsadides (Ogilby, 1891) –
Morelia antiquus Smith & Plane, 1985 –
Morelia antiqua –
Liasis olivacea Gray, 1842 –
Commonwealth Paleontological Collection 25077 (not “20577”; see
Camfield Beds, Blast Site, Bullock Creek, Northern Territory, Australia. Late middle Miocene (
See Comments on Chondropython azureus and Morelia viridis.
Lenhoserus boeleni (Brongersma) –
Morelia boeleni (Brongersma) –
Australiasis clastolepis (Harvey et al.) –
Morelia clastolepis Harvey et al. –
UTA 44486.
Ambon, Maluku (= Moluccas), Indonesia.
For range extensions in Queensland see
SAMA R13994.
St. Francis Island, South Australia.
SAMA R14261.
Iron Duchess, Middleback Ranges, South Australia.
Australiasis nauta (Harvey et al.) –
Morelia nauta Harvey et al. –
UTA 44482.
Yamdena Island, Tanimbar Island Group, Maluku (=Moluccas), Indonesia.
Nyctophilopython oenpelliensis (Gow)–
Morelia oenpelliensis Gow –
Montypythonoides riversleighensis –
Morelia spilota (Lacépède) –
Morelia antiqua Smith & Plane, 1985 –
Morelia riversleighensis – Scanlon, 2001
QM F 12926 (=AR4058), incomplete right maxilla.
Henk’s Hollow Local Fauna, Tertiary System C, approximately 3.6 km southwest of
Morelia riversleighensis (Smith & Plane, 1985) – Kluge, 1993 (part)
(
AMNH R-82433.
Port Moresby, Central Province, Papua New Guinea.
Morelia macburniei Hoser, 2004
Prior to (
Australiasis tracyae (Harvey et al.) –
Morelia tracyae Harvey et al. –
UTA 44473.
Tobelo, Halmahera, Maluku (=Moluccas), Indonesia.
Chondropython viridis (Schlegel) –
Chondropython viridis viridis (Schlegel) –
Chondropython viridis shireenae Hoser, 2004
Morelia viridis (Schlegel) –
see
Aspidoboa Sauvage, 1884 –
Helionomus Gray –
Shireenhoserus Hoser, 2004 (junior synonym of Enygrus Wagler)
Shireenhoserus anchietae (Bocage) –
Python anchietae Bocage –
See
ZFMK 87481, subadult male from SW-Sulawesi.
Known only from the southwest of Sulawesi.
Python breitensteini Steindachner – Keoghet al. 2001
Aspidoboa breitensteini (Steindachner) –
Python breitensteini Steindachner –
Elevated to specific rank by
Python brongersmai Stull – Keoghet al. 2001
Aspidoboa brongersmai (Stull) –
Python brongersmai Stull –
Elevated to specific rank by
Python curtus Schlegel – Keoghet al. 2001
Aspidoboa curtus (Schlegel) –
Python curtus Schlegel –
Elevated to specific rank by
Python Euboicus Römer, 1870
Heteropython euboicus (Römer) –
Heteropython euboicus (Römer) – Kuhn 1939, 1963
Python euboicus Römer –
Fragment of the trunk portion of the
vertebral column (25 vertebrae and ribs), left dentary. No accession
number. According to
Kimi (Euboea, Greece), early Miocene (MN ?3).
See
Python sp. –
Python europaeus Szyndlar and Rage, 2003
MNHN, VCO 29. One trunk vertebra.
Vieux Collonges (=Mont Ceindre), France, early/middle Miocene (MN 4/5).
See
Python molurus molurus (Linnaeus) (part)
Python molurus molurus –
Python molurus pimbura –
Python molurus molurus –
First reported from Nunavil (Thenmarachi), Jaffna Peninsula, Sri Lanka by
Python natalensis A Smith – Broadley 1999
Helionomus natalensis (A Smith) –
Python natalensis A Smith –
Notes on the distribution of this species can be found in
Shireenhoserus regia (Shaw) –
Python regius (Shaw) –
For notes on the natural history and distribution of this species, see
Paleopython sardus –
Paleryx sardus (Portis) –
?Python sardus (Portis) –
Articulated palatine and anterior pterygoid fragment (not traced).
Monte Albu (=Alba?)(Sardinia) Italy, middle Miocene (MN 6 or 7+8).
Helionomus sebae (Gmelin) –
Python sebae (Gmelin) –
Elevated to specific rank by
Liasis perthensis Stull, 1932
Python anchietae Bocage, 1887
In taxonomy, there have always been “lumpers” and
“splitters”, but neither trend is helpful when taken to the extreme.
“Splitters” could easily achieve monophyly by placing every single
species in its own monotypic genus. Equally, lumping all taxa together
into large unmanageable genera may obscure phylogenetic relationships
and evolutionary diversity. Thus, a well-balanced “middle-ground”
between “lumping” and “splitting” based on scientific evidence is the
most desirable approach. In truth, Pythonidae
is a relatively small family currently containing 40 extant species in
nine genera, as defined here, yet it has been the subject of
unprecedented attention by both professional and amateur taxonomists
resulting in both papers that clarify and papers that confuse the
phylogenetic relationships within the family. Whereas some subspecies
may be recognized, erecting additional monotypic genera and creating
subgenera within small genera is unwarranted and destabilizes taxonomy.
Stable nomenclature, however, is most important for “unambiguous
communication about biodiversity” and names must be clearly assignable
to specimens to allow “unambiguous identifications” (
The authors are grateful to P. Doughty (WAM) for tracking down a type specimen accession number. We would like to thank L. MacKenzie of the Australian National Library and V. Wallach (MCZ) for providing important information on the status of the Australasian Journal of Herpetology, D.G. Barker (VPI), R.W. Henderson (Milwaukee Public Museum), G. Shea (University of Sydney) and two anonymous reviewers for valuable advice on the manuscript, and A.F. Stimson (BMNH, now retired) for reflecting on the status of Python molurus pimbura.
A list of valid taxa of pythons recognized in this study. Doubtful names (nomina dubia) are not included.
Antaresia Wells & Wellington, 1984
Antaresia childreni (Gray, 1842)
Antaresia maculosa (Peters, 1873)
Antaresia perthensis (Stull, 1932)
Antaresia stimsoni (LA Smith, 1985)
Antaresia stimsoni stimsoni (LA Smith, 1985)
Antaresia stimsoni orientalis (LA Smith, 1985)
Apodora Kluge, 1993
Apodora papuana (Peters & Doria, 1878)
Aspidites Peters, 1877
Aspidites melanocephalus (Krefft, 1864)
Aspidites ramsayi (Macleay, 1882)
Bothrochilus Fitzinger, 1843
Bothrochilus boa Fitzinger, 1843
Broghammerus Hoser, 2004 fide
Broghammerus reticulatus (Schneider, 1801)
Broghammerus reticulatus reticulatus (Schneider, 1801)
Broghammerus reticulatus jampeanus (Auliya et al., 2002)
Broghammerus reticulatus saputrai (Auliya et al., 2002)
Broghammerus timoriensis (Peters, 1876)
Leiopython Hubrecht, 1879
Leiopython albertisii (Peters & Doria, 1878)
Leiopython bennettorum Hoser, 2000
Leiopython biakensis Schleip, 2008
Leiopython fredparkeri Schleip, 2008
Leiopython hoserae Hoser, 2000
Leiopython huonensis Schleip, 2008
Liasis Gray, 1842
Liasis dubudingala Scanlon & Mackness, 2002 [extinct species]
Liasis fuscus Peters, 1873
Liasis mackloti (Duméril and Bibron, 1844)
Liasis mackloti mackloti (Duméril and Bibron, 1844)
Liasis mackloti dunni Stull, 1932
Liasis mackloti savuensis (Brongersma, 1956)
Liasis olivaceus Gray, 1842
Liasis olivaceus olivaceus Gray, 1842
Liasis olivaceus barroni LA Smith, 1981
Morelia Gray, 1842
Morelia azurea (Meyer, 1874)
Morelia amethistina (Schneider, 1801)
Morelia boeleni (Brongersma, 1953)
Morelia bredli (Gow, 1981)
Morelia carinata (LA Smith, 1981)
Morelia clastolepis Harvey et al., 2000
Morelia kinghorniStull, 1933
Morelia nauta Harvey et al., 2000
Morelia oenpelliensis (Gow, 1977)
Morelia riversleighensis (Smith and Plane, 1985) [extinct species]
Morelia spilota (Lacépède, 1804)
Morelia spilota spilota (Lacépède, 1804)
Morelia spilota cheynei Wells & Wellington, 1984
Morelia spilota harrisoni Hoser, 2000
Morelia spilota imbricata LASmith, 1981
Morelia spilota mcdowelli Wells & Wellington, 1984
Morelia spilota metcalfei Wells & Wellington, 1984
Morelia spilota variegata Gray, 1842
Morelia tracyae Harvey et al., 2000
Morelia viridis (Schlegel, 1872)
Python Daudin, 1803
Python anchietae Bocage, 1887
Python bivittatus (Kuhl, 1820)
Python bivittatus bivittatus (Kuhl, 1820)
Python bivittatus progschai Jacobs et al., 2009
Python breitensteini Steindachner, 1880
Python brongersmai Stull, 1938
Python curtus Schlegel, 1872
Python europaeus Szyndlar and Rage, 2003 [extinct species]
Python molurus (Linnaeus, 1758)
Python molurus molurus (Linnaeus, 1758)
Python molurus pimbura Deraniyagala, 1945
Python natalensis A Smith, 1840
Python regius (Shaw, 1802)
Python sebae (Gmelin, 1788)
1. | Visible sensory pits absent | Aspidites |
– | Visible sensory pits present | 2 |
2. | Rostral unpitted | 3 |
– | Rostral pitted | 6 |
3. | No visible black pigmentation between the scales | 4 |
– | Black pigmentation visible between the scales | Apodora |
4. | Number of loreals fewer than 3 | 5 |
– | Number of loreals more than 3 | Antaresia |
5. | Head color not black, head distinct from neck, two pairs of prefrontals | Liasis |
– | Head color black, head bearly distinct from neck, one pair of prefrontals | Bothrochilus |
6. | Body unpatterned | Leiopython |
– | Body patterned | 7 |
7. | Lateroposterior margin of nasal exposed, plane of ventral position of postorbital is directed anterolaterally, neck is markedly narrower than the head in adults | Morelia |
– | Lateroposterior margin of nasal is covered by prefrontal, plane ventral position of postorbital is directed anteriorly, neck is slightly narrower than the head in adults | 8 |
8. | Well defined square or triangular supralabial pits, infralabials less well developed and not set in a groove | Python |
– | Less well defined diagonal supralabial pits, infralabials placed in a longitudinal groove and ventrally in a fold | Broghammerus |
Antaresia
1. | Body color pale yellowish-brown to dark purplish-brown | 2 |
– | Head and neck color yellowish to reddish-brown | 3 |
2. | Midbody scale rows 35 or fewer, ventrals fewer than 250, 34–45 subcaudals | Antaresia perthensis |
– | Midbody scale rows 35 or more, ventrals more than 250, 38–57 subcaudals | Antaresia childreni |
3. | Dorsal pattern of ragged-edged dark blotches | Antaresia maculosa |
– | Dorsal pattern of smooth-edged blotches | 4 |
4. | Ventrals 260–302 | Antaresia stimsoni stimsoni |
– | Ventrals 243–284 | Antaresia stimsoni orientalis |
Aspidites
1. | Head and neck color glossy black, numerous dark brown crossbands, ventrals more than 310 | Aspiditesmelanocephalus |
– | Head and neck color yellowish to reddish-brown, black markings above the eyes, ventrals fewer than 305 | Aspidites ramsayi |
Apodora
Black skin pigmentation visible between head scales, rostral and (at least) second supralabial with shallow pits, prefrontals small or absent, ventrals 358–374, 83–88 subdaudals, low number of teeth on the maxilla | Apodora papuanus |
Bothrochilus
Uniform brownish-black head barely distinct from the head, orange color body ring pattern that fades with age, lack of rostral and supralabial pits, low number of dentary teeth | Bothrochilus boa |
Broghammerus
1. | Iris color olive-golden, midbody scale rows fewer than 64, ventrals fewer than 290 | Broghammerus timoriensis |
– | Iris color bright yellow to golden-orange, midbody scale rows 64 or more, ventrals more than 290 | 2 |
2. | Ventrals more than 330 | Broghammerus reticulatus saputrai |
– | Ventrals fewer than 330 | 3 |
3. | Ventrals fewer than 304 | Broghammerus reticulatus jampeanus |
– | Ventral more than 304 | Broghammerus reticulatus reticulatus |
Leiopython
1. | Dorsal color dark gray or blackish-blue fading to white on the flanks | Leiopython hoserae |
– | Dorsal color yellow to brownish-violet fading to yellowish on the flanks | 2 |
2. | One pair of enlarged parietals | Leiopython huonensis |
– | Two pairs of enlarged parietals | 3 |
3. | Whitish postocular spot absent | Leiopython fredparkeri |
– | Whitish postocular spot present | 4 |
4. | Two prefrontals, two or more loreals present | Leiopython bennettorum |
– | One prefrontal, one loreal present | 5 |
5. | Subocular absent, three labials enter the orbit | Leiopython albertisii |
– | Subocular present, only two labials enter the orbit | Leiopython biakensis |
Liasis
1. | Body unpatterned | 2 |
– | Body patterned | 4 |
2. | Midbody scale rows fewer than 50, ventrals fewer than 300 | Liasis fuscus |
– | Midbody scale rows more than 50, ventrals more than 300 | 3 |
3. | Midbody scale rows 61–72, 355–377 ventrals | Liasis olivaceus olivaceus |
– | Midbody scale rows 58–63, 374–411 ventrals | Liasis olivaceus barroni |
4. | Eyes pale or white | Liasis mackloti savuensis |
– | Eyes silvery or dark | 5 |
5. | Chin and infralabials yellowish of color, brownish ground color, females larger than male | Liasis mackloti mackloti |
– | Chin and infralabials of white color, grayish to reddish-brown ground color, males larger than females | Liasis mackloti dunni |
Morelia
1. | Dorsal scales rough or keeled, large round frontal scale | Morelia carinata |
– | Dorsal scales smooth, frontal of different shape partly fragmented | 2 |
2. | Two or more enlarged well-defined pairs of parietals | 11 |
– | Small granular or fragmented head scales | 3 |
3. | Body ground color shiny green with unpatternd head | Morelia azurea, Morelia viridis |
(Note: Morelia azurea is a cryptic species, only distinguishable by genetic markers) | ||
– | Body ground color pale cream; red or brown with head pattern | 4 |
4. | Loreal scales fewer than 28 | 5 |
– | Loreal scales more than 28 | Morelia bredli |
5. | Body pattern of speckled appearance | Morelia spilota spilota |
– | Body pattern of pale and dark elements | 6 |
6. | Lack of partial structure in the posterior margin of the nasal scale | 7 |
– | Presence of partial structure in the posterior margin of the nasal scale | 8 |
7. | Nostril not in contact with the internasals | Morelia spilota imbricata |
– | Nostril in contact with the internasals | Morelia spilota metcalfei |
8. | Dorsal color dark | 9 |
– | Dorsal color pale cream with diagonal pale bars and lighter pattern, head pattern smudgy appearance | Morelia spilota mcdowelli |
9. | Body ground color dark brown or blackish | Morelia spilota cheynei |
– | Body ground color shade of brown or reddish-brown | 10 |
10. | Body pattern consists of 60–70 pale rings | Morelia spilota variegata |
– | Body pattern with pale rings but connected by two lateral pale lines | Morelia spilota harrisoni |
11. | Ventrals fewer than 400, subcaudals fewer than 125, infralabials fewer than 22, parietal scales not fragmented | 12 |
– | Ventrals more than 400, subcaudals more than 155, infralabials more than 22, parietal scales fragmented | Morelia oenpelliensis |
12. | Overall glossy blackish head and body color with white or yellowish bars in the labials | Morelia boeleni |
– | Overall head and body color variable | 13 |
13. | Neck bar pattern absent | 14 |
– | Neck bar pattern present | 16 |
14. | Postocular stripe absent | 15 |
– | Postocular stripe present | Morelia nauta |
15. | Suboculars absent, single supraocular | Morelia kinghorni |
– | Suboculars present, 2–3 supraoculars | Morelia clastolepis |
16. | Iris color golden, 0–2 interparietals | Morelia amethistina |
– | Iris color red, 2–3 interparietals | Morelia tracyae |
Python
1. | Small or fragmented head scales | 2 |
– | Large, well-developed head scales | 4 |
2. | Midbody scale rows fewer than 75, subcaudal scale counts fewer than 50 | 3 |
– | Midbody scale rows more than 75, subcaudal scale counts more than 60 | Python natalensis |
3. | Ventral scale counts fewer than 210, subcaudals fewer than 38 | Python regius |
– | Ventral scale counts more than 250, subcaudals more than 46 | Python anchietae |
4. | Ventral scale counts fewer than 200 | 5 |
– | Ventral scale counts more than 200 | 7 |
5. | Ventral scale counts fewer than 167 | 6 |
– | Ventral scale counts more than 167 | Python brongersmai |
6. | Anterior pair of parietals not in contact or are only weakly contacting | Python curtus |
– | Anterior pair of parietals in broad contact at the medial structure | Python breitensteini |
7. | Dorsal midbody scale rows fewer than 75 | 8 |
– | Dorsal midbody scale rows more than 75 | Python sebae |
8. | Suboculars absent | 9 |
– | Suboculars present, separating the supralabials from the orbit | 10 |
9. | Two preoculars present, subcaudals 66–70 | Python molurus molurus |
– | Three preoculars present, subcaudals 57–65 | Python molurus pimbura |
(Additional diagnostic information: longitudinal pink marking above the eyes, fewer dark blotches that also invade the ventral scutes) | ||
10. | Pale centered saddles, pale-centered brown blotches | Python bivittatus bivittatus |
(Additional diagnostic information: attains larger size up to 5m in length) | ||
– | Prevalent saddles with pale margins, increased incidence of ocellic blotches (more molurus-like) | Python bivittatus progschai |
(Additional diagnostic information: does not exceed 2.5 m in total length) |