INTRODUCTION

The pythons of Australia and New Guinea are of interest to most herpetologists. In spite of this great interest there has been some uncertainty as to the taxonomic relationships between the various forms.

Differing taxonomic arrangements have been proposed by many authors including: Cogger (1983), Kluge (1993), Underwood and Stimson (1990) and Wells and Wellington (1985). Names that have been made synonymous with those in current usage are listed by Cogger (1983) and McDowall (1975). This excludes those names used since by Wells and Wellington (1983, 1985a) and the authors who have in turn adopted those names.

At the time this paper was written in late 1999 there are some commonly recognised races and subspecies that remain unnamed. The purpose of this paper is to systematically list all the pythons of Australasia and assign names to those forms which though well-known to herpetologists and private reptile keepers but do not yet have formal names. This paper also assigns some species to new genera. Diagnostic information that can be readily taken from the sources cited at the end of this paper is not necessarily repeated here.

For the purposes of maintaining genetically 'pure' bloodlines of snakes from the same region and/or race, it is important that unnamed forms be appropriately named and recognised. This is so that herpetologists and keepers can maintain viable captive populations that may be able to be released back into the wild at some future date should the need arise, and without the potential of contaminating wild populations with genetic stock from an inappropriate region or even species. These are just some of the reasons why it is prudent to assign correct names to the various pythons sooner rather than later.

From a conservation standpoint this is particularly important at the present time as deforestation within the region remains at historically high levels and introduced feral pests continue to spread and cause declines of native species in their wake. Local extinction's of species in the region are likely in the new millenium.

PREAMBLE

There has been a substantial amount of literature detailing breeding activity in both wild and captive Australasian pythons. This includes Banks (1974, 1980), Barker and Barker (1994a), Barnett (1979, 1987, 1993, 1999), Chiras (1982), Covacevich and Limpus (1973), Dunn (1979), Fearn (1996), Heijden (1988), Hoser (1980, 1981, 1989, 1990, 1992, 1993a, 1995), Kend (1992, 1997), Kend and Kend (1992), Kluge (1993), Krauss (1995), Mavromichalis and Bloem (1994), McLain (1980), Rooyendijk (1999), Ross (1973, 1978), Ross and Marzec (1990), Sheargold (1979), Williams (1992), J.W. (year unknown) and references cited within the publications listed above.

There have also been documented cases of hybridisation between Australasian python species and subspecies, including by Hoser (1989, 1991, 1993a, 1999a) and Kortlang (1987) and references therein. A number of breedings of pythons by zoos and other institutions are documented by Frank and Kate Slavens on their internet website and it is perhaps the most comprehensive and readily available source of these details as of the time of writing this paper. The internet address (URL) is: <http://www.halcyon.com/slavens/bsnakea.html>.

A number of different taxonomic arrangements for Australasian Pythons have been proposed and/or used by a number of authors in recent and not-so-recent times including Barker and Barker (1994a), Cogger (1983, 1986, 1992), Comber (1999), Ehmann (1992), Gow (1977, 1981, 1989), Greer (1993) Hoser (1981a, 1981b, 1981c, 1982, 1988, 1989, 1993a), Irvine (1976), Kinghorn (1956), Kluge (1993), Martin (1973), Mattison (1980), McDowell (1975), Mirtschin and Davis (1992), Murdoch (1999), O'Shea (1996), Schwaner and Dessauer (1981), Smith (1981a, 1981b, 1985), Stull (1932, 1935), Underwood and Stimson (1990), Waite (1935), Weigel (1988), Wilson and Knowles (1988), Wells and Wellington (1983, 1985a), Worrell (1951, 1970) and references therein. The paper, Wells and Wellington (1985b) does not discuss pythons and is therefore not relevant here.

The trade in these snakes is discussed in detail by Hoser (1993b and 1996).

GENUS ASPIDITES PETERS 1876

Aspidites is a genus of large terrestrial Pythons endemic to continental Australia. These pythons are readily distinguished from all other Australian species by the absence of pits on the labial or rostral scales. Other diagnostic traits are the absence of teeth on the premaxilla and enlarged symmetrical shields on the top of the head. Prior to now, most authorities have divided the genus into two well-defined species. These are the Black-headed Python (Aspidites melanocephalus) and the Woma (A. ramsayi).

The former is separated from the latter by its distinct glossy black head. At best the latter only has black markings on the head. Few authors recognize subspecies or races. Those that have subdivided the above species into races or regional variants, include Barker and Barker (1994a) and Wells and Wellington (1985a). The former recognized different races without naming them, while the latter recognized A. collaris as described by Longman in 1913 (see below). Taxonomy of this genus has gained greater interest in recent years with the introduction of more formalized reptile-keeper licensing systems in most Australian states combined with the high prices of specimens traded. Authorities in some states have taken a strong stand against hybridization of races of snakes, a view shared by a substantial number of private keepers.

Noting that distinct differences between races of Aspidites are well known and acknowledged and that for many years a substantial number of herpetologists have recognized different races as being at least different subspecies, it is somewhat surprising that up until now no one has put names to these different races. Black-headed Pythons and Womas are known to occur sympatrically in parts of Western Australia, with this author catching both species on the western edge of the Great Sandy Desert, north of Port Hedland, WA. (refer to photos published in Hoser 1989).

There is presently no evidence of cross-breeding between the two species either in the wild or captivity. Smith (1981) also found similar sympatry between both species in Western Australia. Worrell (1963) recorded sympatry between both species in the Northern Territory. To date no similar sympatry has been recorded in Queensland. That sympatry occurs between the two species of Aspidites is not altogether surprising as their habitat preferences are somewhat generalist, with the snakes being found in a variety of habitat, soil and vegetation types. Biological information about Aspidites is provided by Cogger (1996), Barker and Barker (1994a), Hoser (1981, 1989), Sonneman (1999) Storr, Smith and Johnstone (1986), Worrell (1970) and others.

Excellent photos of Aspidites are provided by the authors named immediately above. Photos of habitats inhabited by Aspidites are provided by a number of authors including Hoser (1989) and Barker and Barker (1994a). Barker and Barker (1994a) provide an excellent bibliography of cited references on Aspidites and pythons in general including cases of captive breeding, breeding data and other useful material.

Type material for all species listed below has not necessarily been inspected by this author, however this author has inspected a substantial number of specimens including from the type localities given.

SPECIES AND SUBSPECIES OF ASPIDITES NOW RECOGNISED

Aspidites melanocephalus (Krefft, 1864)
Aspidites melanocephalus adelynensis subsp. nov. (this paper)
Aspidites melanocephalus davieii subsp. nov. (this paper)
Aspidites ramsayi (Macleay, 1882) Aspidites ramsayi panoptes subsp. nov. (this paper)
Aspidites ramsayi richardjonesii subp. nov. (this paper)
Total of 2 species comprising six subspecies.

Aspidites melanocephalus (Krefft, 1864)

Type locality is Port Dennison (Bowen) in North-east Queensland. The holotype is held in the British Museum of Natural History (UK). Aspidites melanocephalus melanocephalus, the nominate subspecies, is herein restricted to Queensland and most parts of the top third of the Northern Territory. Most Black-headed Pythons in captivity are of this form.

ASPIDITES MELANOCEPHALUS ADELYNENSIS SUBSP. NOV.

HOLOTYPE: A specimen at the Western Australian Museum, number 51208 from Wyndham, WA Lat: 15° 28' Long:128° 06'

PARATYPE: A specimen at the Western Australian Museum, number 17115 from 8 km south of Wyndham, WA. Lat: 15° 28' Long:128° 07'

DIAGNOSIS: Known only from Kimberley region of WA, this population of Black-headed Pythons appears to be isolated from the population to the south in the Pilbara. It is uncertain as to how much gene flow occurs between this population and that to the east in the adjacent parts of WA and the NT. Aspidites melanocephalus adelynensis like A. m. davieii (see below) is separated from other Black-headed Pythons by usually having one loreal, no suboculars and a single pair of large parietals, while most NT and Queensland Black-headed Pythons have 2-4 loreals, 1-2 suboculars and 2-4 pairs of parietals. A. m. adelynensis is separated from A. m. davieii by distribution, being separated by part of the western flank of the Great Sandy Desert where it meets the WA coast. There are no unusually light specimens of A. m. adelynensis known (as occurs in A. m. davieii). Analysis of the mitochondrial DNA of A. m. adelynensis will further ascertain the differences between this and the other Black-headed Pythons, in particular, how much genetic interaction has occurred between this population and those to the east.

ETYMOLOGY: Named after Adelyn Hoser, the author's daughter.

ASPIDITES MELANOCEPHALUS DAVIEII SUBSP. NOV.

HOLOTYPE: A specimen at the Western Australian Museum, number 46170 from Tom Price WA Lat:22° 39 Long:117° 40'.

PARATYPE: A specimen at the Western Australian Museum, number 12268 from near Port Hedland, WA. Lat: 20° 19' Long: 118° 34'.

DIAGNOSIS: Known only from Pilbara region of WA, this population of Black-headed Pythons appears to be isolated from the population to the north in the Kimberley Ranges. Some but not all specimens of A. m. davieii are of a distinctly lighter than usual ground colour. However this is not a general diagnostic characteristic on it's own. This author has caught both lighter and more 'normal' coloured specimens in the Goldsworthy/Shay Gap areas of WA. In the northern part of the Pilbara region, the Black-headed Pythons seem to be more common in the hillier areas, while the Womas appear to be found more in the sand-dune habitats. Aspidites melanocephalus davieii like A. m. adelynensis (see above) is separated from other Black-headed Pythons by usually having one loreal, no suboculars and a single pair of large parietals, while most NT and Queensland Black-headed Pythons have 2-4 loreals, 1-2 suboculars and 2-4 pairs of parietals. A. m. davieii is separated from A. m. adelynensis by distribution, being separated by part of the western flank of the Great Sandy Desert where it meets the WA coast. These same differences were identified by Barker and Barker (1994a). Analysis of the mitochondrial DNA of A. m. davieii will further ascertain the differences between this and the other Black-headed Pythons.

ETYMOLOGY: Named after Neil Davie, founder of the Victorian Association of Amateur Herpetologists (VAAH) for services to herpetology.

To view a photo of this species or to copy a high resolution version:

Aspidites ramsayi Macleay, 1882

The type locality is Fort Bourke in NSW. The snake later described by Longman in 1913 as Aspidites collaris from near Cunnamulla, Queensland, is believed to be the same race as the nominate form and is treated here is synonymous. The distance between Bourke and Cunnamulla is not substantial. Habitats, including soils and vegetation regimes and herpetofaunas in the two areas are essentially similar. Thus the type form of Woma is in fact the Eastern Australian form. It is distinctly more grey in dorsal colour (as opposed to yellowish brown) than the western subspecies and has far more prominent dark markings over the eyes as compared to more western specimens which may or may not have such markings. While distributional information for Womas in Australia is patchy, partly in reflection of the relatively remote areas that they occur in, most herpetologists believe that it is not continuous throughout the arid parts of Australia. For the purposes of this paper, and until information to the contrary is received, the nominate subspecies, Aspidites ramsayi ramsayi is herein restricted to inland parts of NSW and Queensland.

ASPIDITES RAMSAYI PANOPTES SUBSP. NOV.

HOLOTYPE: A specimen at the Western Australian Museum, number 43459 from Burracoppin, WA Lat: 31° 24' Long:118° 29'.

PARATYPE: A specimen at the Western Australian Museum, number 17662 from Merredin, WA. Lat: 31° 31' Long:118° 14'

DIAGNOSIS: This race of Womas has a lower average ventral and subcaudal count than the main race (Barker and Barker 1984). Unlike the nominate form, A. r. panoptes does not usually retain the juvenile darkening over the eyes in adults. This latter trait is a trait shared with A. r. richardjonesii, also of WA, (see below). This is the south-western Woma. It is separated from all other Womas by distribution (Smith 1981). The population is believed to be isolated from the main centralian population by a belt of heavy soils between Karalee and Zanthus, WA (Smith, 1981). In the absence of evidence to the contrary, this author accepts Smith's proposition. This south-western population appears to be in terminal decline (Brian Bush, pers. comm.). The probable causes include introduced predators such as foxes and cats, habitat destruction and perhaps other unknown causes.

ETYMOLOGY: The subspecies was named panoptes due to popularity of the scientific name for a species of monitor lizard among some Australians. Therefore I have bowed to their wishes and legitimately named another reptile by this name. ICZN rules allow species from different family and genus to carry the same species name.

ASPIDITES RAMSAYI RICHARDJONESII SUBSP. NOV.

HOLOTYPE: A specimen at the Western Australian Museum, number 34070 from near Port Hedland, WA Lat: 20° 19' Long:118° 34'.

DIAGNOSIS: Unlike A. r. ramsayi, this form usually loses the juvenile pattern around the eyes at maturity. This is diagnostic for the subspecies. While this trait is also diagnostic for A. r. panoptes (see description above), the two forms are separated by a vast distance, including most of the Pilbara region. A. r. richardjonesii is also separated from A. r. ramsayi by distribution. To date this form is only known from the Western edge of the Great Sandy Desert in WA. While Centralian populations appear to have characteristics intermediate between the Easternmost and Westernmost populations, it is likely that most specimens from the NT and SA will eventually be assigned to the subspecies richardjonesii.

ETYMOLOGY: Named after NSW Member of Parliament, Richard Jones, for his ongoing contributions towards wildlife conservation, integrity in government and other matters. An honest and decent parliamentarian such as Richard Jones is a rare thing in Australia. That is also why he isn't with a major party.

To view a photo of this species or to copy a high resolution version:

GENUS ANTARESIA WELLS AND WELLINGTON 1985

The genus name Antaresia was proposed by Wells and Wellington. It appears to have been accepted by most authors since 1991 without dispute.

The genus encompasses the smaller Australasian pythons, formerly lumped in the genus Liasis, and occasionally referred to as Bothrochilus. (Bothrochilus is now usually only applied to the species 'boa'). Etymology for the name Antaresia comes from Antares, the yellow giant star in the 'tail' of the constellation of Scorpius. Incidentally, Richard Wells named his daughter Antares.

Three of the four species in this genus were formerly referred to as Children's Pythons before they were split into three species in the 1980's. These were the Children's, Stimson's (=saxocola) and Spotted Pythons.

Wells and Wellington (1985) described one of the species as A. saxacola. It is regarded as the same species as A. stimsoni. The latter name is in fact the junior synonym of the former. This appears to make saxacola the correct name to use. However common usage at present favors stimsoni over saxacola. With regards to ICZN rules and procedures, the question is whether or not just over a decade of use qualifies the name stimsoni to take precedence over the proper name saxacola. This author does not believe it does, but until the ICZN makes a firm ruling on the matter (one way or other), the question will to some extent remain open for interpretation by individual authors.

For the purposes of this paper, I will take the potentially unpopular step of identifying the said species as saxacola. Refer to Aplin (1999), Hoser (1999d) and Wells and Wellington (1999) for details about the timing of publication of the descriptions of saxacola and stimsoni, and details as to why the names remain in dispute. Refer to Hoser (1993a, 1999b) and references therein for details of these snakes. Breeding these snakes in captivity is detailed by Barnett, (1979, 1987 and 1999) and others. Ant-hill Pythons (A. perthensis) are discussed at length by Hoser (1992, 1995 and 1999c). A further paper on breeding this relatively little-known species in captivity is that by Maryan and George (1998). A breeding record previously unreported by this author is one by the Perth Zoo in 1995. They reported hatching two eggs. Browne-Cooper (1998) and Hoser (1999c) discuss feeding in wild A. perthensis.

SPECIES AND SUBSPECIES OF ANTARESIA NOW RECOGNISED

Antaresia childreni (Gray, 1842)
Antaresia maculosus (Peters, 1873)
Antaresia perthensis (Stull, 1932)
Anteresia saxacola (Wells and Wellington 1985)
Antaresia saxacola campbelli subsp. nov. (this paper)
Antaresia saxacola stimsoni (Smith 1985)
Total of 4 species, three subspecies (of one).

Antaresia childreni (Gray, 1842)

Type locality is not known, but presumed to be somewhere in tropical northern Australia.

This species is the 'Children's Python' from tropical northern Australia. There are at least three different regional races, including those from the Kimberley Ranges, the hill country of the Northern Territory including around Katherine, which shares affinities with the Kimberley animals and the lowlands area near Darwin where the animals have a distinctly different appearance. Gray published two descriptions at the same time, namely Liasis childreni from unknown locality (presumed to be in Queensland) (refer to Smith 1985) and Nardoa gilberti, later made synonymous from Port Essington in the NT. A. childreni is separated from others in the genus by it's pattern not being bold, or if so, less than is usually seen in A. saxacola (except perhaps A. saxacola campbelli (see below) which while distinctly patterned is not as bold as other A. saxacola). A. childreni is separated from A. perthensis by it's larger average adult size and having 37 or more mid body rows.

Antaresia maculosus (Peters, 1873)

The type locality is coastal North Queensland. The type specimen is held in Germany. This species is known as the Spotted Python. The species is separated from others in the genus by it's pattern of distinct spots and/or blotches which may or may not join along the dorsal midline. It occurs only in coastal Queensland and nearby areas. It is also has the most even temperament of the Anteresia pythons with the possible exception of A. perthensis.

The largest specimens seen by this author are from far north Queensland.

Antaresia perthensis (Stull, 1932)

Type locality was erroneously given as Perth, WA. It seems that these snakes are actually confined to the Pilbara and immediately adjacent areas of WA. This is probably the smallest species of python in the world and is separated from other Antaresia by having less than 37 mid body rows and 250 or less ventrals. The species usually has a distinct reddish tinge. Juveniles usually have a distinct pattern which tends to fade with age. Some adults become an even brick-red in colour. These snakes are usually sympatric with A. saxacola in the wild. No hybridisation is known.

Refer to Hoser (1992, 1995 and 1999c) for further details.

Anteresia saxacola (Wells and Wellington, 1985)

The type locality is near Barrow Creek in the NT. It is the same species described by Smith in 1995 and called stimsoni. However the race from this part of the NT was called 'stimsoni orientalis' by Smith. It is herein regarded as a junior synonym of the nominate species 'saxacola'. This snake is separated from others in the genus by its distinct pattern of bold blotches or bars and a white ventro-lateral stripe along the anterior part of the body. The nominate subspecies, saxacola is believed to be restricted to central Australia and adjacent areas.

ANTARESIA SAXACOLA CAMPBELLI SUBSP. NOV.

HOLOTYPE: A specimen in the Australian Museum, Sydney, number R69087 from Wilcannia, NSW, Lat. 31° 34' Long. 143° 23'. Photos of this species in life can be found in Cogger (1992), page 609 from the same area (Wilcannia, NSW).

DIAGNOSIS: This subspecies occurs in Far Western NSW and the nearby parts of South Australia and also nearby parts of western Queensland. The distribution broadly parallels that of other reptiles known from the Murray-Darling Basin (and adjacent areas) including the Murray/Darling Carpet Snake, namely Morelia metcalfei. A. s. campbelli is separated from the other subspecies by distribution. A. s. campbelli is also distinguished from other A. stimsoni by it's softer reddish and less contrasting colour with finer patterning. The head is also a different shape. The snout has a less box-like anterior of the snout when compared with other A. stimsoni.

Ehmann (1992) describes this subspecies as having a 'very robust body', but I am uncertain if this is any more so in this form than for the other subspecies. Kend (1997) also regards A. s. campbelli as a distinct subspecies. In line with all A. saxacola these snakes are usually found in rocky habitats. People in Sydney have kept this subspecies for many years without problem.

This author hereby proposes the common name 'South-eastern Rock Python' with reference to its geographical range and preferred habitat.

ETYMOLOGY: Named after the Independent Member for the Australian House of Representatives, Graeme Campbell. Like Richard Jones (see previous), Graeme Campbell was unusual among Australian politicians in that he had possessed the traits of honesty and integrity. It therefore wasn't surprising that he was forced out of the Australian Labor Party (ALP).

Antaresia saxacola stimsoni (Smith 1985)

This is the subspecies originally described by Smith in 1985 as 'Liasis stimsoni stimsoni'. The type locality is near Nullagine in WA. This is typical habitat for the race. The habitat in the area is composed of rocky spinifex covered hills dissected by watercourses that are usually only carrying water immediately after rain. This subspecies is separated from the other two by usually having more ventrals (260-302 in stimsoni versus 243-284 in saxacola) as outlined by Smith (1985).

This subspecies is also believed to be confined to Western Australia (Smith 1985).

GENUS AUSTROLIASIS WELLS AND WELLINGTON 1983

SPECIES AND SUBSPECIES OF AUSTROLIASIS NOW RECOGNISED

Austroliasis amethistina (Schneider, 1801)
Austroliasis amethystinus clarki (Barbour, 1914)
Austroliasis timorensis (Peters, 1877)
Austroliasis spp. (yet to be formally named)

Austroliasis amethistina (Schneider, 1801)

This is the Scrub Python of Australia and New Guinea. There are several species within this genus, all of which have previously been identified by other authors as variants of the Scrub Python (amethistina). For Austroliasis amethistina the type specimen is presumed lost.

The type locality is also uncertain, but presumed to be New Guinea. The various forms that are believed to be different species are found within the Australasian/Papuan region, including the various nearby islands. Within Australia, Austroliasis is confined to North-east Queensland and offshore islands. Wells and Wellington assigned the species timorensis to this genus. Bearing in mind that other authors have confused the two species (due to their similarities) the placement of the species in the same genus makes sense.

This author had assigned names to forms previously regarded as A. amethistina that is found in Islands to the north-west and south-west of New Guinea, however they were withdrawn from this paper after it became apparent that David Barker and others were similarly subdividing the genus Austroliasis as it is described here. For further on this genus, see under Morelia below.

Austroliasis amethystinus clarki (Barbour, 1914)

The type locality is the relatively isolated Murray Island in Torres Strait, which is in Australian territory and about midway between the Australian and New Guinean mainlands.

Snakes from this area share the same characteristics as specimens from southern New Guinea and north-east Australia, which McDowell (1975) found to be essentially similar in most respects. Australian snakes referred to as Austroliasis amethystinus kinghorni (Stull, 1932) are herein referred to this subspecies as a junior synonym.

There is some doubt as to the origins of the type specimen for Austroliasis amethystinus. If it is of the same race as the form herein designated as clarki then clarki itself will be a junior synonym and therefore an invalid name. Until this is properly established it is probably best to regard Australian and southern New Guinea specimens as being of the subspecies clarki.

Austroliasis timorensis (Peters, 1877)

This is a smaller species than Austroliasis amethistina and replaces it on the island of Timor. It is endemic to Timor. The snakes assigned to this species from the nearby Islands including Flores are not known to this author. Further investigation of these snakes is warranted.

Ross and Marzec (1990) have published further details about A. timorensis, including its breeding in captivity.

GENUS BOTHROCHILUS FITZINGER 1843

The genus comprises just one species. This is Bothrochilus boa (The Ringed Python) known only from the Bismarck Islands, north of New Guinea. It is endemic to the region. The type locality is New Ireland. The species does not occur on the island of Mussau.

The species cannot be confused with any other Australasian species. Refer to O'Shea (1996) and references therein for further diagnostic information. Photos of the species are published in Hoser (1993b) and O'Shea (1996). The species occurs in both banded/blotched and unbanded forms. The unmarked specimens are similar in many respects to L. albertisi. However the two species are separated by distribution. B. boa is also separated from L. albertisi by its smaller adult size (under 2 metres), reduced labial pit system, lower scale counts and a suite of other characters.

Refer to McDowell (1975) for further details.

GENUS CHONDROPYTHON MEYER, 1874

This is the Green Python. There is only one species within the genus. That is Chondropython viridis.

The type locality is the Aru Islands, Indonesia, south of New Guinea. Many recent workers have made synonymous this genus and Morelia, the latter name taking precedence. This author does not accept that arrangement. While it is clear that the two genera derived from the same ancestral stock, it is believed that the two have been separated long enough to warrant being placed in separate genera.

The lack of a distinct dorsal pattern of blotches and stripes that typifies all Morelia (except spilota) or a black and yellow dorsal pattern as in spilota separates Chondropython from all snakes in Morelia. There are no iridescent green Morelia. This is the usual dorsal colouration for adult Chondropython. The absence of labial pits in Chondropython is frequently cited as a characteristic that separates the genera Chondropython and Morelia. That is not so. In fact both genera have distinct labial pits. See the photos published in Hoser (1989) or O'Shea (1996) to view the labial pits in both genera.

The Green Pythons are readily distinguished from all other Australian pythons. Refer to Hoser (1981a) McDowall (1975) and O'Shea (1996) for further diagnostic information. Australian Green Pythons (as cited by Thomson (1935)) are more likely than the New Guinea specimens to have markings along the spine to form some sort of vertebral line or pattern. This is corroborated by other authors including the photos in Greer (1997). However the same trait is also seen commonly in south New Guinea specimens.

Specimens from the north of New Guinea are likely to have spots in a more irregular pattern.

Specimens from around the high country of Wamena in Irian Jaya are a very dark green with buttercup yellow spots on the back. The dark yellow ventral scales are commonly a grey/black in colour. As with Morelia, Chondropython is a species with considerable variation in colour, not only between locations, but even within a single location and even within a single litter of young.

Photos of Australian Green Pythons in life with exact locality data are shown in Greer (1997).

Photos of New Guinea Green Pythons in life are shown by O'Shea (1996).

KATRINUS GEN. NOV.

TYPE SPECIES: LIASIS FUSCUS PETERS, 1873

DIAGNOSIS: A group of medium to large pythons from the Austro-Papuan region, most closely related to Liasis and more distantly the other Australasian genera including Morelia. Katrinus is readily identified by the following suite of characters: They have large teeth on the premaxilla. The head is covered by large symmetrical shields and there are pits in some of the labial scales. Katrinus are separated from Antaresia by having a single loreal rather than two or more.

Katrinus are separated from Leiopython by having two pairs of prefrontals as opposed to having a pair. Katrinus are separated from Liasis by usually having 55 or less mid-body rows (Liasis usually has over 60). Katrinus are invariably associated with watercourses and are commonly known as 'Water Pythons'.

Diagnostic information for the species fuscus is provided by Hoser (1989). Breeding information on the species is provided by Ross and Marzec (1990) and other authors. Also included in the genus Katrinus are the species mackloti and savuensis. The species fuscus has been divided into two subspecies. The nominate form is herein restricted to continental Australia only. Snakes from New Guinea are herein transferred to the subspecies cornwallisius (see below). The species mackloti is subdivided into the two subspecies mackloti and dunni. The form from Semao is also probably a subspecies of the nominate Timor race.

ETYMOLOGY: Named after Katrina Hoser. The author's mother.

Katrinus fuscus (Peters, 1873).

See above.

Katrinus fuscus cornwallisius (Gunther, 1879).

This is the New Guinea form of the Water Python. The type locality is Dauan (as Cornwallis) Island, Torres Strait. The mountain on the island is called Cornwallis Peak. This Island is immediately adjacent to the low-lying Sambai Island which is in turn immediately adjacent to the southern New Guinea coast. The fauna on this Island is clearly derived from New Guinea, with which it was joined in the recent geological past. Therefore it is also clear that the Water Pythons here are of the same stock as those specimens found on the adjacent New Guinea mainland.

The subspecies can be separated from the mainland Australian form by its generally darker dorsal body colour (in life) and by analysis of its mitochondrial DNA.

Katrinus mackloti (Dumeril and Bibron, 1844).

For diagnostic information refer to Bulian (1994), O'Shea (1996), Stafford (1986) and references therein.

The type locality is Timor. The species is found on the Lesser Sunda Islands to the West of New Guinea. These include Timor, Semao and Wetar. Semao is geographically adjacent to Timor. It is uncertain if the K. mackloti found there are of the same subspecies as is found on Timor.

At least one other author has raised the possibility that it may be a different taxa, at least at the subspecies level. L. mackloti is distinctly mottled in appearance as opposed to the Brown Water Pythons (fuscus) from mainland Australia and southern New Guinea. McDowell (1975) and Smith (1981) erroneously stated that there is no difference between Katrinus fuscus and K. mackloti.

Bulian (1994) gave a series of differences between the two species. They are listed in slightly altered form below:

Body shape:

mackloti - Head clearly distinct from neck. Head medium to large and averaging about 6 cm in adults. Adult females usually up to 2.8m, males 2.5m in total length.

fuscus - Head is slightly distinct from neck. Head is relatively small and averaging about 4 cm in adults. Adult females average up to 2m and males 1.7m in total length.

Pattern:

mackloti - Head brown, dorsum middle to dark grey with brown spots. Anterior third of the venter is yellow, the rest of the venter is greyish white.

fuscus - Dorsal and head pattern is a uniform olive brown. The venter is bright yellow to egg-yolk yellow.

Behaviour:

mackloti - Usually calm and peaceful behaviour, but there are some exceptions. Voracious feeders.

fuscus - Aggressive behavior. The species has a reputation for biting.

Katrinus mackloti dunni (Stull, 1932).

In 1932 Stull described the subspecies 'Liasis mackloti dunni' from Wetar Island, just north of Timor. These snakes do appear to have minor differences to the nominate form.

They are also being traded as a distinct subspecies by Indonesian dealers. This author therefore recognises the subspecies Katrinus mackloti dunni.

Katrinus savuensis (Brongersma, 1956).

The species is currently known only from the Island of Savu (=Sawu=Sabu) Indonesia. It is separated from mackloti by a suite of characters including its smaller average adult size. Since the mid 1990's a sizeable number of these snakes have been imported into the USA and Europe and they are now being bred in captivity in what seem to be self-sustaining numbers.

Prior to the mid 1990's the species was relatively little known to herpetoculture in the northern hemisphere. However in the last few years there have been several papers and articles published on breeding the species in captivity in popular herpetological magazines by Dave and Tracy Barker (Barker and Barker, 1994b, 1995)

GENUS LEIOPYTHON HUBRECHT, 1879

Until now this genus has been monotypic, including only the species. Leiopython albertisi (Peters and Doria 1878). The type locality for the species is Andai and Kapoar, Irian Jaya. These specimens are substantially different from the dark bodied snakes that come from southern parts of Papua New Guinea and nearby Irian Jaya that have until now been assigned to this species. Those snakes are herein regarded as a new species, namely Leiopython hoserae, (see below).

Several authors have made various findings in terms of the relationship between the genus Leiopython and Borthrochilus. This author prefers the generic arrangement of these species as it appears in this paper.

SPECIES AND SUBSPECIES OF LEIOPYTHON NOW RECOGNISED

Leiopython albertisi (Gray, 1842)
Leiopython albertisi barkeri subsp. nov. (this paper)
Leiopython albertisi bennetti subsp. nov. (this paper)
Leiopython hoserae sp. nov. (this paper)
Total of two species, one with three subspecies.

Leiopython albertisi (Gray, 1842)

The type localities are near Andai and Kapaor in Irian Jaya. This is the form with the golden brown body and black head. It is also the form most commonly seen in captivity in the northern hemisphere. Photos of L. albertisi in life appear in O'Shea (1996) and Ross and Marzec (1990).

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LEIOPYTHON ALBERTISI BARKERI SUBSP. NOV.

HOLOTYPE: A female specimen, at the Universitetets Zoologiske Museum, Copenhagen (R5444) collected by the Noona Dan Expedition, from the Island of Mussau in the Saint Matthias Group, Bismarck Archipelago, Lat: 1° 30' Long: 149° 40'. Scalation is smooth with 267 ventrals and 72 subcaudals.

PARATYPE: A male specimen, at the Universitetets Zoologiske Museum, Copenhagen (R5445) collected by the Noona Dan Expedition, from the Island of Mussau, in the Saint Matthias Group, Bismarck Archipelago, Lat: 1° 30' 149° 40'. Scalation is smooth with 271 ventrals and 73 subcaudals.

DIAGNOSIS: This is the subspecies of L. albertisi that is endemic to Mussau Island in the Saint Matthias Group, Bismarck Archipelago. It is separated from L. albertisi albertisi by the mutually exclusive distribution and by analysis of mitochondrial DNA. Ventral counts for this species are near the lower limit for the range for New Guinea L. albertisi. The trait may be used as a potential indicator for the subspecies in the absence of other data. Other scalation counts and properties also overlap with those of the type subspecies.

ETYMOLOGY: Named after two people, namely David and Tracy Barker of Texas. The husband and wife team have developed one of the most sophisticated python breeding facilities in the world.

LEIOPYTHON ALBERTISI BENNETTI SUBSP. NOV.

HOLOTYPE: A juvenile female specimen from near Wau, PNG, Lat: 7° 20' Long: 146° 40'. number BBM 5452 in the Bernice P. Bishop Museum, Honolulu. The specimen was collected by A. C. Ziegler on 13 June 1967. Measurements were, snout-vent 540 mm, tail 95 mm, total length 635 mm. Scalation: Smooth with 274 ventrals and 68 subcaudals.

PARATYPES: A male specimen from near Wau, PNG, Lat: 7° 20' Long: 146° 40'. number BBM 3890 in the Bernice P. Bishop Museum, Honolulu. The snake was collected by O. R. Wilkes on or around 1 May 1966 at an elevation of about 1150 metres. The snake is skinned out except for the head and tail. Scalation: 263 ventrals and 62 subcaudals. A specimen from near Wau, PNG, Lat: 7° 20' Long: 146° 40'. number BBM 5137 in the Bernice P. Bishop Museum, Honolulu. The snake was collected by H. Clissold on or around 24 August 1963 at an elevation of about 3500 feet in forest habitat. The snake is skinned out except for most of the skull. Scalation: 271 ventrals and 68 subcaudals.

DIAGNOSIS: Essentially similar in most respects to L. albertisi albertisi from which it can be usually differentiated by it's higher loreal count. L. albertisi albertisi usually has a single loreal in broad contact with the prefrontal. The three specimens listed above are typical for their subspecies in that they have two or three loreals on each side. Specimens of L. albertisi albertisi usually have a single pair of elongated prefrontal scutes with their median suture three or more times as long as the suture between the internasals. However in L. albertisi bennetti it is not unusual for there to be a pair of small lateral prefrontals, broadly separated from each other by the median prefrontals but in contact with the frontal posteriorly and with the more posterior loreal anteriorly. This is seen in specimens BBM 5452 (the holotype) and BBM 5137 (the second paratype). In L. albertisi albertisi it is usual for there to be a whitish spot behind the eye. However this is often, but not always absent from specimens of L. albertisi bennetti. The two forms are further separated by distribution, one being found in New Guinea around Wau and nearby areas, the other known from Irian Jaya. The exact status of the specimens from intermediate locations isn't known. Leiopython albertisi bennetti is separated from Leiopython albertisi barkeri by distribution, the latter being the only subspecies found Mussau.

ETYMOLOGY: I have once again taken the liberty of naming the subspecies after two people. This includes the UK herpetologist Daniel Bennett, who is perhaps best known for writing a series of books about Monitor lizards. I have also named the subspecies after former NPWS/NSW Wildlife Enforcement Officer Clive Bennett (who co-incidentally shares the same name) in recognition of his voluntary conservation work with birds of prey over many years. Bennett also played an essential role in having corruption within his department raised in the NSW Parliament, NSW ICAC and after failure by these two to investigate the evidence he presented, he passed this information to this author for inclusion in the book Smuggled-2:Wildlife Trafficking, Crime and Corruption in Australia which was published in 1996.

LEIOPYTHON HOSERAE SP. NOV.

HOLOTYPE: A large male specimen in the American Museum of Natural History from Wipim (=Wipam), Western District, PNG, Lat: 8° 40' Long: 142° 55', specimen number 107150. The snake has a body length of 6ft 10.5 inches and a total length of 7ft 11 inches.

DIAGNOSIS: This is the species formerly known as the black race of the White-lipped Python. L. hoserae is separated from L. albertisi by the fact that its dorsal body colour is usually a greyish metallic black in adults as opposed to a golden brown colour. L. hoserae also attains a larger size, with this author having sighted and photographed a specimen at Melbourne Zoo of about 2.5 metres, (also refer to the type specimen above). L. albertisi rarely if ever attains this size. Live L. hoserae are shown in Hoser (1989), O'Shea (1996) and Ross and Marzec (1990).

The specimens depicted in Hoser (1989) are derived from the Port Moresby area (Chris Banks, Melbourne Zoo, pers. comm). There are numerous other characteristics that separate the two species of Leiopython, including DNA properties. L. hoserae cannot be confused with any other New Guinea snake. L. hoserae occurs in the southern areas of PNG, south of the main central range, including the area around Port Moresby, and adjacent parts of Irian Jaya around Merauke where it is understood to be relatively uncommon and/or rarely collected there.

It is uncertain as to how far west the distribution of this species extends. Nor is it certain if this distribution is continuous or disjunct. However notwithstanding the previous statement about the species around Merauke, this species is like L. albertisi in that it is usually common where it occurs. L. hoserae is not as common in captivity as L. albertisi. The species is understood to also occur on Islands just south of New Guinea in the Torres Strait area, that fall within Australian territory (refer to Cogger 1996) and other sources. The species also occurs in the Aru Islands to the south, where it is understood to be reasonably common.

ETYMOLOGY: Named after the author's wife, Shireen Hoser.

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LENHOSERUS GEN. NOV.

TYPE SPECIES: PYTHON BOELENI BRONGERSMA, 1953

DIAGNOSIS: A large thick-set and smooth-scaled python known only from the Island of New Guinea with one outlier population on Goodenough Island. It is presumed that these populations became split with the advent of rising temperatures and sea levels over the last 20,000 or so years. The genus is most closely related to Chondropython and Morelia.

Lenhoserus is differentiated from both other genera by its adults having a dominantly black dorsal colour in adults, interrupted only by slight and incomplete yellow bars coming up the sides from the ventral surface. None of the other two genera look like this. The differences are best seen by inspection of live specimens and/or viewing photos of the relevant species.

Lenhoserus is separated from Leiopython by a lack of scale pits on the rear of the body. McDowall (1975) also separates the genera by hemipenal morphology. Photos of Lenhoserus, Leiopython, Morelia and Chondropython can seen in O'Shea (1996). Juvenile Lenhoserus are usually reddish in general colouration and similar in appearance to Morelia.

Chondropython by contrast have a yellow or red juvenile dorsal colour, and a green or blue dorsal colour in adults, while no Morelia are as adults an almost patternless black (see next paragraph). The Morelia that are almost all black (e.g. some spilota and some cheynei) lack the semi-banded pattern on the lower sides from the belly as seen in Lenhoserus. There are also a number of other differences between the genera.

Adult Lenhoserus has a creamish belly. While Lenhoserus can be confused with Leiopython, the two are easily separated by their differing head scalation and the fact that Leiopython has a relatively longer and more gracile head. Photos of Lenhoserus in life can be found in O'Shea (1996) page 79 and Ross and Marzec (1990). The latter publication also provides photos of juvenile specimens. Lenhoserus can be definitively separated from all other pythons by genetic sequencing. Lenhoserus is restricted to mid montane forests of New Guinea (including Irian Jaya) and Goodenough Island, from altitudes of about 1,000 metres upwards, but below the treeline.

It favors humid environments and lives both on the ground and in trees.

ETYMOLOGY: Named after Len Hoser, the author's father.

Lenhoserus boeleni (Brongersma, 1953).

See above.

GENUS LIASIS GRAY, 1840

Until now the genus included the Olive and Water Pythons. I agreed with Wells and Wellington (1985) in viewing the name Liasis as being unavailable for this group. However the ICZN later used its plenary powers to assign the name Liasis to these snakes. Hence it is used here.

The name Bothrochilus is herein applied to the taxa boa only. That snake is the Ringed Python from the Bismarck Islands to the north-east of New Guinea. Within Australia these snakes are 'Liasis fuscus' (Water Python) herein referred to as Katrinus fuscus and Liasis olivaceus (Olive Python). The latter species is divided into two subspecies, namely olivaceus (most of northern Australia, including the tropical top-end) and barroni (the Pilbara region of WA only). Refer to Hoser (1981c) and Smith (1981) for diagnostic information on these two species.

For detailed biological and captive husbandry information, refer to Barker and Barker (1994). Outside of Australia, members of the above group include mackloti, savuensis (assigned to the genus Katrinus) and papuana. K. mackloti and savuensis have a close affinity with fuscus, with which they have been confused in the past. L. papuana has been confused with olivaceus.

Kluge (1993) split off papuana into it's own genus Apodora. I do not agree with this delineation and herein synonymise it with Liasis. However it is my considered view that the fuscus group (Water Pythons) are sufficiently delineated from the olivaceus group (Olive Pythons), to warrant placement into their own genus.

The fuscus group (including mackloti and savuensis) is hereby placed into the genus Katrinus. Refer to the genus and species diagnoses given earlier.

SPECIES AND SUBSPECIES OF LIASIS NOW RECOGNISED

Liasis olivaceus (Gray, 1842)
Liasis olivaceus barroni (Smith, 1981)
Liasis papuana (Peters and Doria, 1878)
(2 species, one species having two subspecies)

For diagnostic information relating to the Australian species refer to Smith (1981) and Hoser (1981c) and references therein. For diagnostic information relating to papuana, refer to McDowell (1975) and O'Shea (1996) and references therein.

In summary however, all are so-called 'Olive Pythons'. L. olivaceous olivaceous is found throughout tropical Australia. L. olivaceous barroni is restricted to the Pilbara region of WA and is a slightly larger form than L. olivaceous olivaceous. L. papuana is restricted to New Guinea. The type localities are given below.

Liasis olivaceus (Gray, 1842)

Type locality is Port Essington, NT.

See above.

Liasis olivaceus barroni (Smith, 1981)

Type locality is Tambrey, WA.

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See above.

Liasis papuana (Peters and Doria, 1878)

Type locality is Romoi, near Soron, Irian Jaya.

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See above.

GENUS MORELIA GRAY, 1842.

As previously recognised, this genus includes the carpet snakes (spilota, variegata, cheynei, imbricata, metcalfei, macdowelli and bredli), rough-scaled (carinata), scrub (amethistina) Oenpelli (oenpelliensis) and Boelen's (boeleni) Pythons.

The genus also has been expanded by some authors to include the closely related species viridis, (herein placed in Chondropython:see above).

However this author believes that the generic arrangement as proposed by Wells and Wellington (1985a) is more appropriate. They split off the Scrub and Oenpelli pythons into their own separate genera.

They assigned the name Australiasis for the Scrub Pythons (in 1983) and Nyctophilopython for the Oenpelli Python (in 1985). This author suspects that the non-use of those names by later publishing herpetologists has at least as much to with the general inertia towards the authors Wells and Wellington as the true taxonomic status of these snakes. Furthermore, while the Boelen's Python (boeleni) has close affinities with the carpet pythons, there is no evidence before this author to suggest that the relationship is any closer than that between the Green (viridis) and carpets. Thus if viridis is entitled to be placed in a separate genus to the carpets, so too should boeleni.

Therefore the species boeleni is herein placed in the new genus Lenhoserus (see genus description earlier in this paper). While generally endorsing the Wells and Wellington position on the generic arrangement they have proposed, I acknowledge that I will become unpopular in some circles for using them here. I will no doubt be criticised for further splitting of the Australasian python genera by some herpetologists, including those who wish to call all or most either 'Python' or 'Morelia'. However there is little doubt that some of this criticism will be a hidden form of saying 'that makes sense, but, why didn't I do this first?'. Notwithstanding this, I believe that it is in the interests of herpetology to move beyond petty personal matters and use more appropriate names if available. In this case they are.

Thus the new arrangement is as follows:

Genus Austroliasis includes: Austroliasis amethistina (Schneider, 1801) Austroliasis timorensis (Peters, 1877)
Genus Nyctophilopython includes: Nyctophilopython oenpelliensis (Gow, 1977)
Genus Lenhoserus includes: Lenhoserus boeleni (Brongersma, 1953)

SPECIES OF MORELIA NOW RECOGNISED

Morelia bredli (Gow, 1981)
Morelia carinata (Smith, 1981)
Morelia cheynei Wells and Wellington, 1983
Morelia harrisoni sp. nov. (this paper)
Morelia imbricata (Smith, 1981)
Morelia macdowelli Wells and Wellington, 1983
Morelia metcalfei Wells and Wellington, 1985
Morelia spilota (Lacepede, 1804)
Morelia variegata (Gray, 1824)

For diagnostic information on the various species described above, refer to Gow (1977, 1981), Hoser (1989), O'Shea (1996), Smith (1981), Wells and Wellington (1983, 1985a) and references therein.

Cogger (1983), and Wells and Wellington (1983, 1985a) give type locality details for the various forms as described below except for M. harrisoni sp. nov. which is described in this paper. The various Morelia pythons can be summarized as below:

* Morelia bredli (Gow, 1981) - Centralian Carpet Python. Separated from others in the genus except carinata by it's distinct bluish-grey eye. M. bredli has less rugose scalation than carinata.

* Morelia carinata (Smith, 1981) - Rough-scaled Python, known only from the Kimberley ranges in WA. Refer to Hoser (1991b) for further details and a photo of the species). Also see the original description by Smith (1981).

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* Morelia cheynei Wells and Wellington, 1983 - Jungle Carpet Python. Known from the Atherton Tableland and nearby areas of North-east Queensland. These snakes rarely exceed two and a half metres. Adults are usually slightly less than two metres. They are often characterised by contrasting yellow and black markings.

* Morelia harrisoni sp. nov. (this paper) - Found in New Guinea. See below.

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* Morelia imbricata (Smith, 1981) - The south-west Australian population of carpet snakes. They are characterised by an imbricate pattern, hence their scientific name. They also occur on some islands off the SA coast.

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* Morelia macdowelli Wells and Wellington, 1983 - This is the 'Coastal Carpet' from northern NSW and south-east Queensland. This is perhaps the largest of the Carpets with specimens in excess of 3 metres fairly common.

* Morelia metcalfei Wells and Wellington, 1985 - The Murray-Darling Carpet. This is a smallish race with an unusually even temperement. Usually distinguishable by it's creamy colouration around the head.

* Morelia spilota (Lacepede, 1804) - Diamond Python. Found in coastal NSW south of Port Macquarie and adjacent parts of far north-east Victoria.

* Morelia variegata (Gray, 1824) - Top-end Carpet Python. Found from Cape York, Queensland, west to the Kimberley in WA, including the tropical parts of the NT.

Barker and Barker (1999) detail the status of the various types of carpet python (Morelia) in captivity as of mid 1999. This includes M. harrisoni, which they identify as the carpet snakes coming from the island of New Guinea.

It also is presumed that all Morelia species (as classified here) will hybridise in captivity (refer to Hoser 1999a). Furthermore it is known that the following hybridisations in captivity have been done.

Morelia cheynei X Katrinus fuscus fuscus
Morelia cheynei X Austroliasis amethistina
Chondropython viridis X Morelia sp. (carpet snake)

The first two cases are detailed in Hoser (1989). This author knows nothing of the latter case other than a photo e-mailed to him in late 1999 from a website called "marvelous mutants". The snake depicted was an immature specimen.

MORELIA HARRISONI SP. NOV.

HOLOTYPE: A female specimen, at the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH 82433) New York, from Port Moresby, PNG. Lat: 9°30' Long: 147°10' collected on or near 30 August 1959 by the Spalding-Peterson Expedition.

PARATYPES: A female specimen, at the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH 103637) New York, from Port Moresby, PNG, . Lat: 9°30' Long: 147°10' collected on or near August 1968 by Roy Mackay. A specimen, at the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH 107157) New York, from Mawatta (=Katow), Western District, PNG, . Lat: 9°10' Long: 142°55'

DIAGNOSIS: A medium to large python similar in most respects to the others in the genus Morelia. It is separated from its closest relatives Morelia cheynei, Morelia variegata, and Morelia macdowelli all of which occur in the top third of Australia. Morelia harrisoni is separated from these three species by distribution, being the only 'Carpet Python' known to occur in New Guinea. The snakes labeled by Barker and Barker (1999) as 'Irian Jaya Carpet Pythons', 'Trans Fly' Carpet Pythons' and 'Port Moresby Carpet Pythons' are all of this species.

The specimens allegedly from north of the Central Dividing Range in New Guinea are also believed to be of this species. In New Guinea the apparently disjunct distribution probably reflects either a paucity of collection records and/or intervening areas of unsuitable habitat. The preferred habitat is open savanna woodland such as that found around Merauke in Irian Jaya and near Port Moresby, PNG. In appearance, Morelia harrisoni usually looks somewhat intermediate between Morelia variegata and Morelia cheynei although Morelia harrisoni is highly variable in colouration, both between different localities, within the same locality and even within a single litter of offspring.

In line with Morelia variegata, Morelia harrisoni young are often reddish in colour. Morelia harrisoni is one of the smaller varieties of Carpet snake. Adults average slightly less than two metres in total length. It is not known by this author to exceed three metres in length.

The Morelia harrisoni sighted by this author tend to have a lower average ventral and subcaudal scale count than Morelia cheynei, Morelia variegata and Morelia macdowelli, however the sample seen is too small to conclude if this trend is general. Further diagnostic information for the species is provided by Barker and Barker (1999). They also provide photos of this species in life. However again this author notes the general variability in colour in this species and the fact that colouration does change with age.

Like all Carpet Pythons Morelia harrisoni is almost always dorsally patterned with a combination of cross-bars, blotches and spots, occasionally in a manner approaching longitudinal blotches or stripes. Morelia harrisoni can best be definitively be separated from the other species of Morelia by DNA analysis. Morelia harrisoni is being bred in captivity in the northern hemisphere. Within Australia, the few specimens kept in captivity, including a subadult specimen at Sydney's Taronga Zoo, presented no husbandry problems. However some specimens, particularly juveniles and subadults were snappy in temperament.

ETYMOLOGY: Named after David Harrison who died of cancer in 1999. Harrison was best known as a leading edge aviculturist. He was also well known as editor of the journal Avinews, through which he played a pivotal role in exposing corruption and misconduct in Australian wildlife departments, in particular NSW. Harrison played an essential role in bringing about a re-write of reptile licencing laws and procedures in NSW, however since his death, others who played no useful role in bringing about the change are claiming some of the credit he deserves.

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GENUS NYCTOPHILOPYTHON WELLS AND WELLINGTON 1985

This is the genus for the Oenpelli Python, (Nyctophilopython oenpelliensis).

For diagnostic information and photos of the Oenpelli Python, refer to Gow (1977), Hoser (1989), Ross and Marzec (1990) and references therein. The single species in the genus is confined to the Arnhem land escarpment area of the Northern Territory, where it is reasonably common.

The type locality is near Oenpelli, Arnhem Land, NT. The species has been bred in captivity by Queensland snake keeper Peter Krauss. Breeding data for the species is provided by Ross and Marzec (1990).

SUMMARY

The new arrangement for Australasian pythons as outlined in this paper, in alphabetical order, is therefore as follows:-

Aspidites melanocephalus (Krefft, 1864)
Aspidites melanocephalus adelynensis subsp. nov. (this paper)
Aspidites melanocephalus davieii subsp. nov. (this paper)
Aspidites ramsayi (Macleay, 1882)
Aspidites ramsayi panoptes subsp. nov. (this paper)
Aspidites ramsayi richardjonesii subp. nov. (this paper)
Antaresia childreni (Gray, 1842)
Antaresia maculosus (Peters, 1873)
Antaresia perthensis (Stull, 1932)
Anteresia saxacola (Wells and Wellington 1985)
Antaresia saxacola campbelli subsp. nov. (this paper)
Antaresia saxacola stimsoni (Smith 1985)
Austroliasis amethistina (Schneider, 1801)
Austroliasis amethystinus clarki (Barbour, 1914)
Austroliasis timorensis (Peters, 1877)
Austroliasis spp. (yet to be formally named)
Bothrochilus boa (Schlegel, 1837)
Chondropython viridis (Schlegel, 1872)
Katrinus fuscus (Peters, 1873)
Katrinus fuscus cornwallisius (Gunther, 1879)
Katrinus mackloti (Dumeril and Bibron, 1844)
Katrinus mackloti dunni (Stull, 1932)
Katrinus savuensis (Brongersma, 1956)
Leiopython albertisi (Gray, 1842)
Leiopython albertisi barkeri subsp. nov. (this paper)
Leiopython albertisi bennetti subsp. nov. (this paper)
Leiopython hoserae sp. nov. (this paper)
Lenhoserus boeleni (Brongersma, 1953)
Liasis olivaceus (Gray, 1842)
Liasis olivaceus barroni (Smith, 1981)
Liasis papuana (Peters and Doria, 1878)
Morelia bredli (Gow, 1981)
Morelia carinata (Smith, 1981)
Morelia cheynei Wells and Wellington, 1983
Morelia harrisoni sp. nov. (this paper)
Morelia imbricata (Smith, 1981)
Morelia macdowelli Wells and Wellington, 1983
Morelia metcalfei Wells and Wellington, 1985
Morelia spilota (Lacepede, 1804)
Morelia variegata (Gray, 1824)
Nyctophilopython oenpelliensis (Gow 1977)

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Various assistance's, mainly in the form of providing literature or providing of study specimens in their care (including museum specimens), by Chris Banks, Brian Barnett, William Bennett, Stuart Bigmore, Joe Bredl (senior and family), Stefan Broghammer, Roland Burrell, Brian Bush, John Cann, Peter and Steve Comber, Tom Crutchfield, Chris Durham, Euan Edwards, Scott Eipper, Andrew Getties, Dale Gibbons, Russell Grant, Allen Greer, Axel Groenveld, Chris Hay, Matt Hingley, Bob Irwin, Bill Love, Andrew Lowry, Samuel McDowell, Hayden McPhee, Tim Mensforth, Damien Morphou, Mark O'Shea, Roy Pails, Rob Porter, Mick and Mip Pugh, Ian Renton, Peter Richardson, Frederico Rossignoli, Ross Sadlier, Neil Sonneman, Grant Turner, Robert Valentic, John Weigel, Paul Woolf, Peter and Judy Wybrow, and Frank Yuwono.

A large number of museum curators freely shared their data with this author and/or made specimens available. Most are not acknowledged here by name. Many others who freely allowed the author to observe live snakes in their care have been omitted from this list.

LITERATURE CITED

Aplin, K. 1999. 'Amateur' Taxonomy in Australian Herpetology - Help or Hindrance? Monitor - Journal of the Victorian Herpetological Society 10 (2/3):104-109.

Banks, C. B. 1974, 'Australian Pythons' Herptile, edition No.4:21-23.

Banks, C. B. 1980 'Pythons of the genus Morelia'. A.S.R.A. Journal 2 (2):37-42.

Barker, D. G. and Barker, T. M. 1994a, Pythons of the World, Volume 1, Australia, Advanced Vivarium Systems Inc, California, USA:189 pp.

Barker, D. G. and Barker, T. M. 1994b. 'The maintenance and reproduction of a little-known python, Liasis mackloti savuensis: the Savu python's first year in captivity', The Vivarium 5(6):18-21.

Barker, D. G. and Barker, T. M. 1995. 'A new Python in Captivity from New Guinea, The New Guinea Carpet Python and the Sawu Python - a correct common name', The Vivarium 6(6):30-33.

Barker, D. G. and Barker, T. M. 1999, 'A tapestry of Carpet Pythons', Reptiles May:48-71.

Barnett, B. F. 1979, 'Captive breeding and a novel egg incubation technique of the Children's Python (Liasis childreni)', Herpetofauna, 11(2):15-18.

Barnett, B. F. 1987, 'The Eastern Children's Python in Captivity', Thylacinus (ASZK), 12(1):10-19.

Barnett, B. F. 1993. 'The Amethystine Python (Morelia amethystina): Captive keeping, reproduction and growth', Monitor:Bulletin of the Victorian Herpetological Society 4(3):77-128.

Barnett, B. F. 1999, 'The Eastern Children's Or Spotted Python (Antaresia maculosus) in Captivity', Monitor - Journal of the Victorian Herpetological Society, 10(2/3):14-23.

Browne-Cooper, R. 1998, 'Predation on a Ridge-tailed Monitor (Varanus acanthurus) by a Pygmy Python (Antaresia perthensis)', Herpetofauna 28(2):49.

Bulian, J. 1994. 'Ten years of breeding Liasis mackloti mackloti', Litteratura Serpentium 14(2):46-56.

Chiras, S. 1982, 'Captive reproduction of the Children's Python, Liasis childreni', Herpetological Review, 13(1):14-15.

Cogger, H. G. 1983, Zoological Catalogue of Australia: 1 Amphibia and Reptilia, Australian Government Printing Service, Canberra, ACT, Australia. 319 pp.

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RAYMOND HOSER has been a herpetologist for over 30 years. He's published over 100 papers and nine books. His principal interest is elapid snakes of the genus Acanthophis.

To download the original of this paper - with photos exactly as it appeared in the journal Ophidia Review - as an Adobe Acrobat pdf file

Photos of most of the species named in the above paper can be found online in the papers "Australian Pythons - (parts 1-4)" reprinted online and located at http://www.smuggled.com/pap1.htm

Scrub Python Systematics - three new species from north of Australia.

Five new Australian Pythons named -(2003 paper):
2 X SA Carpets,
Blonde Spotted Pythons from Nth, Qld.,
Green Python from NE Qld,
Water Python from the NT and WA.