Spotted mulga snake

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Spotted mulga snake

Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Elapidae
Genus: Pseudechis
Species:
P. butleri
Binomial name
Pseudechis butleri

The spotted mulga snake (Pseudechis butleri), also known

threat display is supported by the ability to produce a very large amount of venom
.

Taxonomy

The first description of the species P. butleri emerged in a study of morphological variation of the widespread species

electrophoretic analysis of blood proteins and phylogenetic indicators.[4]

Common names for P. butleri include Butler's black snake,[5] Butler's snake,[6] and spotted mulga snake.[6] The generic name, Pseudechis, suggests a similarity to the African-Asian vipers of the genus Echis. The specific epithet, butleri, commemorates the conservation efforts of naturalist W. H. "Harry" Butler.[7][5]

Description

P. butleri is a species of

P. australis, a larger and widespread snake which occurs in sympatry at parts of central Western Australia. However, P. butleri is spotted with yellow or yellow-green scales and does not usually exceed a total length (including tail) of 1.6 m (5.2 ft). The snout-to-vent length (SVL) is up to 1.56 m (5.1 ft), and the tail length is around 15% of the SVL. The dorsal scales of the body are occasionally all black, but most of the upper body is covered in yellow or brownish scales with black bases.[8] The colour of the head and neck tends to completely black. The neck is slightly defined from the head, broad and slightly larger than the robust body.[2]

Pseudechis butleri is readily distinguished from others of the genus, by colouration and by the number of

P. porphyriacus, which has even fewer ventral scales than P. butleri. The lighter spots of P. butleri were described by Glauert, when examining a recently killed specimen, as "primrose yellow".[2]

Distribution and habitat

The distribution range of P. butleri is within the

endemic species have been recorded in Mullewa in the north, as far south as Leonora, and to the east near Laverton.[9]

Venom

The venom of P. butleri contains systemic myotoxins. Treatment for positive envenomation is the same as for P. australis, using a black snake antivenom.[10]

Reproduction

P. butleri is oviparous.[6] Mating takes place in October and November. A clutch of 7–12 eggs is laid in December. Hatchlings emerge after 65–80 days.[1]

References

  1. ^
    doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T42493217A42493223.en
    . Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d e Smith, L.A. (1982). "Variation in Pseudechis australis (Serpentes: Elapidae) in Western Australia and description of a new species of Pseudechis ". Records of the Western Australian Museum. 10 (1): 35–45. (Pseudechis butleri, new species).
  3. ^ Glauert, L. (1957). Handbook of the Snakes of Western Australia. Western Australian Naturalists’ Club. Handbook No. 1, Perth.
  4. JSTOR 3892390
    .
  5. ^
    ISBN 978-1-4214-0135-5
    . (Pseudechis butleri, p. 44).
  6. ^ a b c Species Pseudechis butleri at The Reptile Database www.reptile-database.org.
  7. ^ "Pseudechis". kingsnake.com. 1998. Archived from the original on 2003-09-24. Retrieved 2009-02-28.
  8. ^
    ISBN 978-1-920694-74-6
    .
  9. ^ "Distribution of Pseudechis butleri ". FaunaBase. Western Australian Museum. 2003. Retrieved 2009-02-28. [dead link]
  10. ^ "Pseudechis butleri ". Clinical Toxinology Resources. University of Adelaide. Retrieved 2009-02-28.

Further reading

External links


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