Hi, I write from Italy (europe).
I know Python molurus pimbura (Ceylonese python) is not considered a subspecies, but what are the differences in scalation? (I know pimburas are generally lighter in colour, but it is not a scientific difference). Is there a literature?
Thank you so much
Stefano
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Python molurus "pymbura" and molurus molurus: Scalations???
Seba
Oct 26, 2003 12:26 PM
Replies (6)
wulf
Oct 26, 2003 01:31 PM
Ciao Stefano,
well, I do not have scale counts available, but perhaps you should get hold of the original description of Python molurus pimbura DERANIYAGALA 1945. I guess there is a diagnosis that should point out the differences between the subspecimens, eventhough P.m. pimbura was not generally accepted.
Cheers,
Wulf
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Seba
Oct 27, 2003 05:50 PM
Thank you so much, how could I get a copy of the description DERANIYAGALA 1945? Thank you
WW
Oct 28, 2003 03:30 AM
>>Ciao Stefano,
>>
>>well, I do not have scale counts available, but perhaps you should get hold of the original description of Python molurus pimbura DERANIYAGALA 1945. I guess there is a diagnosis that should point out the differences between the subspecimens, eventhough P.m. pimbura was not generally accepted.
Having had occasion to deal with Deraniyagala's species descriptions for other taxa, I would not hold my breath about there being much in the way of detail. Deraniyagala generally did not ask for much in the way of hard data to describe new taxa. Of course, there are others who are busy perpetuating this trend into the present day 
Cheers,
Wolfgang
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WW
Oct 28, 2003 03:44 AM
... I just remembered that I have the paper:
Deraniyagala, P.E.P. (1945) Some new races of the python, Chrysopelea, binocellate cobra and Tith Polonga inhabiting Ceylon and India. Spolia Zeylanica, 24: 103 113.
His dichotomous key is as follows:
(a) 62-72 scales at midbody, ventrals 244-254, subcaudals 66-67 - molurus
(b) 63-69 scales at midbody, ventrals 248-257, subcaudals 57-65 - pimbura.
The subcaudal differences look impressive until one realises from further reading that his "pimbura" data are based on 5 specimens, and his "molurus" data on 3, sex undetermined for all. A bit meagre, to put it mildly, although he did at least take the trouble to look at some specimens himself.
If other Indian/Sri Lankan reptiles (e.g., Naja naja, Daboia russelii) are anything to go by, I would suspect that Sri Lankan molurus and S. Indian molurus will be more similar to each other, and more closely related, than N. and S. Indian populations to each other.
Cheers,
Wolfgang
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Jan Grathwohl
Oct 28, 2003 07:09 AM
Hi Wolfgang
Could you by any chance make this paper available as a PDF ?... I would be very delighted to read it (seems to be an ever ending argument in DK about the validity of pimbura, and i would like to see the original describtion)
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Regards
Jan Grathwohl
WW
Oct 28, 2003 10:15 AM
>>Hi Wolfgang
>>
>>Could you by any chance make this paper available as a PDF ?... I would be very delighted to read it (seems to be an ever ending argument in DK about the validity of pimbura, and i would like to see the original describtion)
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>>Regards
>>
>>Jan Grathwohl
>>
>>
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