Dwarf and superdwarf retics are indigenous to the Bonerate Island chain in the Flores Sea between the large islands of Sulawesi and Flores. There are dozens of islands in this group with the larger ones being Tanahjampea, Kayuadi, Kalao, Kalaotoa, and Bonerate. Most of the larger islands and some of the smaller ones in this group probably have their own distinct populations of retics, of apparently, slightly varying adult sizes. The retics on Tanahjampea for example, appear to be the largest and are generally not considered a true superdrawf type, as some adult females have shown to reach lengths of 12 to 15 feet. The smaller retics from other islands in this group are termed superdwarf as they appear to reach adult sizes in the 6 to 8 feet range. Diet is obviously much better in captivity, in most cases, and these forms tend to become a little larger in captivity than in their natural island habitats.

This is a remote island group and not easily accessible, additionally, source importers are obviously reluctant to comment on precise collecting data. Some true superdwarf specimens have reportedly been collected from Kalao, Kalaotoa, and Kayuadi, but until further studies are conducted, the exact island locale of some of the true superdwarf specimens is probably somewhat speculative.

Strong sea currents running from east to west through this island chain have kept most of the native island fauna isolated from their mainland conspecifics, and assisted retics on these islands in evolving into these dwarf forums. I'm sure there are probably other yet to be discovered dwarf forms on other small isolated island chains in the Indonesian area.

Kelly

[ Reply To This Message ] [ Subscribe to this Thread ] [ Hide Replies ]