Timor python
| Python timoriensis | |
|---|---|
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| Python timoriensis in a zoo | |
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Pythonidae |
| Genus: | Python |
| Species: | P. timoriensis
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| Binomial name | |
| Python timoriensis (Peters, 1876)
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| Synonyms | |
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The Timor python (Python timoriensis) is a python species found in South East Asia. A dwarf form, no subspecies are currently recognized.[3] Like all pythons, they are nonvenomous constrictors; unlike larger species such as P. reticulatus, they are not considered dangerous to humans.
Description
Timor pythons are a fairly long (7 + feet) but relatively thin python species from the Lesser Sunda Islands in Indonesia. Ironically, there are no known records of Timor Pythons from the Island of Timor. This probably stems from the misidentification of a Macklot's Python (Liasis mackloti) that is similar in appearance and does occur on that island. This is a very fast-moving, highly defensive snake that spends a great deal of time in the trees hunting for prey. Like many python species, Timor pythons have a series of heat-sensing pits between their nostrils and mouth used to find warm-blooded prey in total darkness. They are egg-layers, but instead of laying the eggs and leaving, they remain coiled around the clutch for the entire incubation period. This maternal incubation serves two purposes: protection of the eggs is one, and temperature regulation is the other. Through a series of twitches and contractions many python species can raise the temperature of their bodies by as much as eight degrees F. Loosening the coils and exposing the eggs to more air circulation does the opposite. This is a fairly remarkable achievement given that snakes are "cold-blooded", meaning that their body temperature is dictated by their surroundings.[4]
Distribution and habitat
Found in South East Asia on the Lesser Sunda Islands (Flores, Lombien and Timor islands). The type locality given is "Kupang, (Timor)" [Indonesia].[1]
Feeding
Captive specimens have been known to accept birds and small mammals.[4]
Taxonomy
Previously also considered a subspecies of the Indian python, P. molurus.[4] A phylogenetic study suggests that P. timoriensis and P. reticulatus should be moved to their own genus, Broghammerus.[2] Subsequent phylogenetic analyses have supported the separation of the Timor and reticulated pythons from genus Python. However, Broghammerus is considered an invalid name by most authorities, which made Reynolds et al. formally rename this clade Malayopython in 2014, a decision that was followed by many authors.[5][6][7][8]
See also
- List of pythonid species and subspecies.
- Pythonidae by common name.
- Pythonidae by taxonomic synonyms.
References
- ^ a b McDiarmid RW, Campbell JA, Touré T. 1999. Snake Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference, vol. 1. Herpetologists' League. 511 pp. ISBN 1-893777-00-6 (series). ISBN 1-893777-01-4 (volume).
- ^ a b Rawlings LH, Rabosky DL, Donnellan SC, Hutchinson MN. 2008. Python phylogenetics: inference from morphology and mitochondrial DNA. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society 93:603-619.
- ^ "Python timoriensis". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 21 September 2007.
- ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference
Meh87was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Reynolds RG, Niemiller ML, Revell LJ (2014). "Toward a tree-of-life for the boas and pythons: multilocus species-level phylogeny with unprecedented taxon sampling". Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 71: 201–213. doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2013.11.011. PMID 24315866.
- ^ Kaiser, H.; Crother, B. I.; Kelly, C. M. R.; Luiselli, L.; O'Shea, M.; Ota, H.; Passos, P.; Schleip, W.; Wüster, W. (2013). "Best Practices: In the 21st Century, Taxonomic Decisions in Herpetology are Acceptable Only When Supported by a Body of Evidence and Published via Peer-Review" (PDF). Herpetological Review. 44 (1): 8–23.
- ^ Barker DG, Barker TM, David MA, Schuett GW (2015). "A review of the systematics and taxonomy of Pythonidae: an ancient serpent lineage" (PDF). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. 175: 1–19. doi:10.1111/zoj.12267.
- ^ Booth W, Schuett GW (2016). "The emerging phylogenetic pattern of parthenogenesis in snakes". Biological Journal of the Linnean Society. 118 (2): 172–186. doi:10.1111/bij.12744.
External links
- Python timoriensis at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 21 September 2007.