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Burmese Python Distinct Species





United States Association of Reptile Keepers



Burmese Python Distinct Species



CNAH ANNOUNCEMENT

The Center for North American Herpetology

Lawrence, Kansas

http://www.cnah.org

17 February 2010



BURMESE PYTHON RECOGNIZED AS DISTINCT SPECIES



Zur taxonomie des dunklen tigerpythons, Python molurus bivittatus Kuhl, 1820, speziell

der population von Sulawesi



Hans J. Jacobs, Mark Auliya & Wolfgang Böhme



2009. Sauria 31(3): 5-16



Abstract: The taxonomic status of the Burmese Python (Python molurus bivittatus) is

reassessed and elevated to specific rank again. The population from Sulawesi, Indonesia, is

a dwarf form of this giant snake that is redefined as Python bivittatus progschai ssp. n.



Summary (part):

On the taxonomy of the Burmese Python, Python molurus bivittatus Kuhl, 1820,

specifically on the Sulawesi Population



The Indian python, Python m. molurus (Linnaeus, 1758) and the Burmese Python, P. m.

bivittatus Kuhl, 1820 are constantly distinguished by two morphological characters, viz.

"supralabials touching eye" versus "complete circumocular ring" and "lanceolate dorsal

head pattern indistinct in front of eyes" versus "lanceolate dorsal pattern distinct to tip of

snout." Despite their subspecific status (which requires allopatry or parapatry at least), the

latter co-occur as several relict populations within the distribution range of the former

(viz., at some sites in North India along the Nepalese border, and in East India in the

Bengal region: Barker & Barker 2008), and, despite their close relationship and their ability

to crossbreed in captivity (O’Shea 2007), both maintain their phenotypic identities without

interbreeding in nature. This argues strongly for selective pressures against hybridization,

which is what we regard as typical for incipient speciation. We therefore once more raise

the Burmese Python to specific rank.





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