Yes, I for one agree. Despite the now widespread view that the viridis complex should be submerged into Morelia following Kluge's analysis, for the most part I still hold that this view is little more than uninformed, slavish idolatory. I have yet to be convinced that the distinct morphological radiation of a group of species that are each other's closest relatives - ie the genus Chondropython - should be synonymised with another morphologically distinct radiation of species - ie the genus Morelia....

Oh, and by the way, I still believe that Morelia carinata should not be placed within Chondropython just because of a few characters that may also be reasonably considered merely convergent with the viridis complex....



May the genus Chondropython live long and prosper !



Richard Wells



PS: Hi to Steno - I may have to travel to Europe soon so I will do my best to stop by and say hello. Things have been very hectic here but I hope all is well with your research.

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