Amethystine python

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

This article is about the amethystine python, Simalia amethistina. It is not to be confused with the Australian scrub python.
For other uses, see Scrub python.

Amethystine python

Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Pythonidae
Genus: Simalia
Species:
S. amethistina
Binomial name
Simalia amethistina
(Schneider, 1801)
Range shown as dark orange and bright orange regions
Synonyms
  • [Boa] Amethistina
    Schneider, 1801
  • Python amethystinus
    — Daudin, 1803
  • [Constrictor] amethystina
    — Wagler, 1830
  • Boa amethystina
    — Wagler, 1830
  • Python amethystinus
    — Schlegel, 1837
  • [Boa Python] amethystinus
    — Schlegel, 1837
  • Liasis amethystinus
    — Gray, 1842
  • Liasis amethystinus
    — A.M.C. Duméril & Bibron, 1844
  • Liasis (Simalia) amethystinus
    — Gray, 1849
  • Aspidopython Jakati
    A. Meyer, 1874
  • Liasis amethystinus
    — W. Peters & Doria, 1878
  • Liasis duceboracensis
    Günther, 1879
  • Hypaspistes dipsadides
    Ogilby, 1891
  • Python amethystinus
    — Boulenger, 1893
  • Liasis clarki
    Barbour, 1914
  • Liasis a[methistinus]. amethistinus
    — Stull, 1933
  • Liasis amethistinus
    — Brongersma, 1953
  • Liasis amethystinus amethystinus
    — Kinghorn, 1956
  • Liasis amethistinus
    — Stimson, 1969
  • Python amethistinus
    — McDowell, 1975
  • Morelia amethistina
    — H.G. Cogger, Cameron &
    H.M. Cogger, 1983
  • Australiasis amethistinus
    —
    Wellington
    , 1984
  • Morelia amethistina
    — Underwood & Stimson, 1990
  • M[orelia]. amethistina
    — Kluge, 1993
  • Morelia amethystina
    — D. Barker & T. Barker, 1994
  • Morelia amethistina amethistina
    — O'Shea, 1996[2]
  • Simalia amethistina
    — Reynolds et al., 2014[3]

The amethystine python (

S. kinghorni was generally considered a subspecies of S. amethistina, and this change of classification has still not been universally reflected in literature. Because of this issue, S. amethistina has often been described as the largest snake in Australia, but this is not accurate since under the current classification, this species does not occur in Australia.[4]

Taxonomy

Formerly, five

Simalia kinghorni, Simalia nauta, and Simalia tracyae – based on cladistic analysis of cytochrome b sequences and morphology.[6] In 2014 cladistic analysis of nuclear and mitochondrial genes of pythons and boas, R. Graham Reynolds and colleagues supported the distinctness of M. tracyae, M. amethistina, and M. clastolepis, but were less confident of M. kinghorni and M. nauta.[7]

According to McDiarmid et al. (1999), all cases in which the specific name was spelled with a y follow Daudin's (1803) Python amethystinus and are therefore unjustified emendations.[2] The specific name, amethistina, is an allusion to the milky iridescent sheen on its scales, which gives it an amethyst-like colour.

Description

Specimens of S. amethistina have reportedly been measured at more than 5.5 m (18.0 ft) in total length (including tail), but this is exceptional, as 4 m (13 ft) specimens are already considered extremely large. Although the amethystine python is smaller than the Australian scrub python, some sources claim that S. amethistina is able to reach lengths of 6 m (20 ft), with a weight up to 27 kg (60 lb)[8] and perhaps even 30 kg (66 lb).[9]

The smooth dorsal scales are arranged in 39–53 rows at midbody. There are deep, heat-sensing pits on six or seven of the posterior lower labials.[10]

Distribution and habitat

The Amethystine python is found in Indonesia (

type locality is unknown.[2]

S. amethistina occurs in both bushland and suburbia. In Indonesia, it is found mostly in rainforests. Warm, humid habitats with good water sources are preferred. In New Guinea, it mostly lives in scrublands.

Feeding

The diet of the amethystine python generally consists of birds, bats, rats, possums, and other small mammals.[11] Larger Papuan specimens catch and eat wallabies, and cuscus, waiting by creek and river banks for prey seeking drinking water.

References

  1. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T177501A1489667.en
    . Retrieved 28 November 2023.
  2. ^
    ISBN 1-893777-00-6
    (series).
    ISBN 1-893777-01-4
    (volume).
  3. ^ Species Simalia amethistina at The Reptile Database . www.reptile-database.org.
  4. ^ Fearn S; Schwarzkopf L; Shine R. "Giant snakes in tropical forests: a field study of Australian scrub pythons" (PDF). CSIRO Publishing / Wildlife Research. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 September 2013. Retrieved 10 January 2013.
  5. ^ "Morelia amethistina". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 18 September 2007.
  6. JSTOR 1467047
    .
  7. PMID 24315866
    .
  8. PMID 35347214
    .
  9. S2CID 225105592
    .
  10. ^ Boulenger GA (1893). Catalogue of the Snakes in the British Museum (Natural History). Volume I., Containing the Families ... Boidæ ... London: Trustees of the British Museum (Natural History). (Taylor and Francis, printers). xiii + 448 pp. + Plates I–XXVIII. (Python amethystinus, pp. 83–84).
  11. ^ "Amethystine Python". Reptile Range. Retrieved 10 August 2022.

Further reading

  • Schneider JG
    (1801). Historiae Amphibiorum naturalis et literariae Fasciculus Secundus continens Crocodilos, Scincos, Chamaesauras, Boas, Pseudoboas, Elapes, Angues, Amphisbaenas et Caecilias. Jena: F. Frommann. vi + 364 pp. + Plates I–II. ("[Boa] Amethistina", new species, p. 254). (in Latin).

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Morelia amethistina.
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