Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi, I just re-read the literature "Heavy exploited but poorly known: systematics and biogeography of commercially harvested pythons (Python curtus group) in Southeast Asia" (J.S Keogh Et Al.). My intention is to be able to better differentiate the three taxa i.e. blood, borneo short tail and sumatran short tail. I must say that the literature help tremendously to differentiate the three. However, I do have a question pertaining to the difference between breit and curtus especially when certain traits that are not supposed to be present are sighted on some specimens. My main concern is that it is sighted in the literature (in page 12/17) that the "Key to the three taxa" is as below:
1a. There are 167 or more ventral scales i.e. (P.brongersmai).
1b. There are 165 or fewer ventral scales i.e. (2).

2a. The anterior pair of parientals are not in contact or are only weakly contacting i.e. (P.curtus).
2b. The anterior pair of parietals are in broad contact at the medial suture i.e. P.breitensteini.

Also, it was sighted that adult P.curtus are always melanistic while P.breitensteini are rarely melanistic.

Now, taking consideration for the number 2a, 2b and the issue of melanism as stated above, what about a specimen that is melanistic (also keep turning darker) and possess anterior pair of parietals that are in broad contact? What does that mean? Is it a breit or a curtus? Which trait should I focus my priority to i.e. the parieatals or melanism? Or is it a melanistic Borneo specimen?

Frankly, I got more questions but I think I should wait for the above first.

Thanks in advance for any answers.

Regards

Don't focus on color so much. I have a melanistic borneo in my collection, but it is dark BROWN not black as P. curtus get.

From the rostral scales moving towards the back of the head, the paired scales have a "xmas tree" effect on the breits where curtus lacks this type of symmetry. Also, on the back of the head in what I refer to as the "crown" you have less symmetry on the breits leading to a scattering of small asymmetrical scales where curtus has more symmetry.

This is in pure specimens. I notice a "borneo blood" sold at a local pet shop that had the pattern of a breit with colors of a brongersmai. Likely a cross. This is what I fear the most, crosses sold as pure animals. Needless to say, I do my homework long before breeding animals to keep the lines pure.
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Thanks for the explainantion Rich. But I am still "blurry" about the "xmas tree effect". Could you elaborate more in this? Thanks