4. THE PYTHONS OF NEW GUINEA
within the Australasian region the generic positions and relationships of the numerous
diversified species ofpython have been the source ofcontinual controversy from which only
the monotypic Chondropython seems exempt.
McDowell, (1975), differentiated between Python and Liasis by defining members ofthe
Python group as those pythons possessing a prehensiletail and lackingapical pits from all of,
or most of, their dorsal scales whereas members of the Liasis group were those species in
which apical pits were present on most scales and which lacked a prehensiletail. Accordingly
McDowell's Liasis group would contain the New Guinea species albertisi, boa, makloti and
papuanus whilst the Python group would include amethistinus, boeleni, spilotes and
Chondropython viridis. McDowell removed amethistinus from Liasis and placed it in
Python largely because ofits apparent relationships withPython timorensis, from the Lesser
Sunda Islands, and Python reticulatus. He also placed boeleni, (formerly Liasis boelem),
andspilotes, (formerly Morelia spilotes), inPython in the 'reticulatus'groupas distinct from
the 'molurus' group containing the Afro-Asian species of Python. Schwaner and Dessauer,
(1981), examined the immunodiffusional reactions which occurred between transferrins
from two of McDowell's 'reticulatus' group, P. amethistinus and P. spilotes, together with
Python regius, from the 'molurns'group, and LiasisalbertisiandL. papuanus. Their results
indicated that the immunological differences between the two Papuan Python spp. and
Python regius were greater than those which existed between the Papuan Python spp. and
the Liasis spp. The argument therefore exists whether to place amethistinus, boeleni and
spilotesinPython as proposed by McDowell or to follow other authors in placing one, two or
all three species in Liasis, Morelia or another species other than Python.
€ ogger et. al., (1983), proposed that to recognise Python for the prehensile tailed
Australo-Papuan pythons when they appeared to be closely related to Liasis would be
'inconsistent with the continued recognition of the genus Liasis' as defined by McDowell.
Therefore they resurrected Morelia from its synonymy with Python for those species of
pythons placed in Python by McDowell and their Australian allies, oenpelliensis, bredliand
carinata. They make no mention of whether they include all species from the 'reticulatus'
group in this revision but to separate amethistinus from timorensis and reticulatus would
seem to be a counter productive measure in view of their apparent similarities. Further
immunodiffusional work, suchas the Papuan studycarried out by Schawanerand Dessauer,
(1981), to ascertain relationships between reticulatus and the 'molurus' group of Python
would be a useful aid in determining the validity of McDowell's 'reticulatus' group within
Python.
Another problem relating to the New Guinea pythons concerns the validity of the genus
Liasis in which McDowell placed the species boa, albertisi, mackloliandpapuanus, pythons
which lack a prehensiletail but possessapical scale pits. McDowell cited the Australian Liasis
childreni as the type species for Liasis but he acknowledged that it is less typical of
mainstream Liasis than was the monotypic Bothrochilus boa. He argued that there were
more grounds for placing Liasis childreni in a monotypicgenus, or removing all other Liasis
spp. from Liasis, than there were for recognising the monotypic Bothrochilus boa.
Therefore McDowell reduced Bothrochilus boa to a synonymy of Liasis as Liasis boa in
preference to the further splitting of Liasis. McDowell's reasons for citing childreni as the
type for Liasis were based upon the following sequence of events.
63
5. MARK O'SHEA
Plate 3: Papuan Python (preys on Amethystine Python) I.illSis Jl(lfl 11011liS.
Plate 4: Papuan Python Liosis papuanus.
6. THE PYTHONS OF NEW GUINEA
In 1842 Gray erected the genus Liasis but he did not cite a type species even though he
included the species childreni, amethyslinusand d/ivacea. In 1849 Gray split Liasis into three
subgenera as follows:
Simalfa containing amethystinus and mack/olii;
Liasis containing chi/dreni;
Lisalia containing olivaceus.
McDowell, therefore, took childreni as the intended type for Liasis but he overlooked the
fact that in 1846 Desmarest had defined Boa amethistinus as the type for Gray's genus LiasLs.
Thus Liasis could be relegated as a synonym of either Python as defined by McDowell or
Morelia of Cogger et. al., (1983), based on the current taxonomic position of amethistinus.
Afore/ia, according to Cogger et. al., would therefore contain the species; amethistina,
spilota, oenpelliensis, carinata, and bred/i. They further proposed the resurrection of
Bothrochilus for those species of Australian pythons remaining in Liasis, namelyalbertisii,
fUscus, olivaceus, childreni, perthensis and presumably also the New Ireland species boa
since that was the original species in BOlhrochilus. No mention is made of the fate of the New
Guinea species mackloti or papuanus.
However, it would appear that the amethystinus of Gray's original description of Liasis,
(1842), and therefore, the amelhistinus designated as the type species by Desmarest, was.
based on Dumeril and Bibrons's mackloti rather than Schneider's amethistina. Therefore
Liasis mackloli, and not Boa amethistinus or Liasis childreni, should be declared the type
species of Liasis and the synonymy of Liasis with either Python or Morelia can be avoided.
For the purpose of this paper I have decided to follow McDowell, (1975), in his retention
of the genera Chondropython and Liasis and his suppression of Bothrochilus but I support
Cogger et. al., in their resurrection o fMoreliaspilota from its synonymy with Python. It also
seems likely that Cogger et. al. 's expansion of Morelia to include amethistinus and boeleni,
the three Australian species, (and possibly also reticulatus and timorensis) will find
increasing favour amongst most workers even thoughspilotes does differ from amethistinus
and boeteni through the possession of maxillary teeth and small granular scales on the top of
the head rather than the more familiar scutes, (Banks 1979). However, in the absence of a
more suitable name and in anticipation of a possible move, but also in appreciation of the
considerable taxonomic problems involved, I have decided to adopt Morelia for McDowell's
prehensile tailed Python spp.
PART TWO: PREHENSILE-TAILED PYTHONS
Morella Amethistina (Schneider) Scrub or Amethystine python
The amethystine python, Morelia amethistina, is one of the largest pythons known to
occur in the Australo-Papuan region and occasional specimens from Australia have
measured up to 8.5m. (28ft Worrell 1963). although 5.5m. (l7l1z ft). is a more common
maximum length. Parker. (1982). records the largest Western Province Papuan specimen at
around 6m. (19Y21't). The Amethystine Python occurs from the Moluccan islands of
Halmahera, Ceram and the Tanimbar Islands, where it exists sympatrically with the S.E.
Asian Python reticula/us. east through the islands to north and south of Irian Jaya.
65
7. MARK O'SHEA
throughout the entire New Guinea mainland to altitudes of IDOOm, {McDowell 1975), except
the Papuan province of Southern Highlands which has only three recorded snake species, to
the eastern Papuan archipelagoes of New Britain and New Ireland, (Whitaker and Whitaker
1982). In Australia the species is confined to northeastern Cape York Peninsula,
Queensland, (Worrell 1963, Cogger 1975, Gow 1976).
The python gets its name from the iridescent bluish-purple sheen which colours the scales
when the light catches them. Parker, (1982), reports that there are two distinct colour
morphs, a pale brown savanna form and a dark grey-brown rainforest form but the author
has not experienced these differences having only seen southern Western Province
specimens. It was noticed, however, that juveniles are more vividly patterned with bright
reddish markings which are most conspicuous on the tail. This species was also noted for its
irritability and irascibility and its willingness to bite when handled. The dietary range of this
python, due to its considerable size range, will also be extremely wide and include birds,
lizards to the size of goannas and mammals from rodents to wallabies and pigs.
Boos, (1979), records mating in a pair ofwild caught Queensland Amethystine pythons at
Taronga Zoo, (male 4.3m, female 2.1m). The sexes were separated from January for 13
months and then reintroduced. Six months later mating took place but was not observed and
a clutch of 12 eggs were laid in mid-August, seven hatching, (three dead and two infertile),
after 77 79 days between October 30th and November 1s1. The average length of the
hatchlings was given as 64.5mm and they first fed on mice and sloughed in mid-November.
Parker, (1982), records an instance ofa wild Daru femaleM. arne/his/ina incubating her 11
eggs in her coils.
Within Western Province Parker, (1982), records the Amethystine python as very
common, especially in savanna areas, with large numbers collected in the Trans-Fly region
and from Daru and Bobo Islands. During the expedition three specimens were seen by the
author in the vicinity of Kunini and further specimens of the snake the locals refer to as the
'Great Python' were frequently reported by returning hunters or village women washing
clothes in the creek near Kunini. Several stories of enormous carpet pythons, Morelia
spilo/a, must beattributed to this species rather than the smaller species. A very large python
reported to the author by a hunter in secondary forest near Oriomo was also probably this
species but by the time the author and two members ofthe herpetological team had returned
to the area with the hunter the snake had gone. The largest specimen seen by the author was a
2745mm, (9ft), python killed by village boys near Kunini but by the time the body was
received decomposition was too advanced for preservation to be possible. In addition a
1950mm, (6ft 4in), specimen was retrieved from the stomach of a slightly shorter drowned
Papuan python, Liasispapuanus, removed from a fishermans gill net on the Binaturi River,
(O'Shea 1987). A 1090mm, (3ft 7in), juvenile was discovered in a hollow in a tree besides the
Binaturi River between Kunini and Bozeand while held in captivity this python was observed
to feed avidly on small rodents.
MoreNa boeleni (Hrongersma) Hoelen's python
The rarest python in Papua New Guinea, and also the country's most protected reptile, is
the endemic Boelen's python, Morelia boeleni. It is an extremely attractive species with a
dark glossy black dorsum and a yellow to cream venter with fingers of yellow pigment
extending upwards and forwards onto the dark flanks.
66
8. THE PYTHONS OF NEW GUINEA
McDowell, (1975), suggested that whereas Python timorensis might provide a link
between Python reticulatus and Morelia (Python) amethistina, so Morelia (Python) boeleni
might represent a connection between M. (Python) amethistina and M. (Python) spilota
through similarities in head scutation with amethistinusand scale, ventral, subcaudal, tooth
and labial counts, and also possibly patterning, with spilota.
Parker, (1982), reports that although no specimens of this species have been positively
recorded forthe Western Province. Villagers in the Star Mountains have seen itand state that
it is present, though rare. As a mid-montane species McDowell, (1975), records M. boelenl
from the Wissel Lakes in Irian Jaya in the far west, Kainantu in Papua's Eastern Highlands
Province and the mountains behind Lae in Morobe Province. Parker reports specimens
from Mt. Brown and Woitape in Central Province and Zweifel reports a specimen from Wau
in Morobe, (McDowell, 1975). Whitaker and Whitaker, (1982), also include Western
Highlands Province in the distribution of M. boeleni but without citing their source.
Although the author searched for this species whilst in the Tapini-Woitape region of the
Owen Stanley Mountains and many villagers were interviewed concerning its whereabouts
no specimens were forthcoming. The University of Papua New Guinea did obtain a large
specimen from this area ofthe Central Province some months earlier but this is by no means a
common species even in areas where it has been reported on several occasions. The
University's specimen died soon after arrival, possibly due to its removal from the relatively
humid montane environment to the hot, continental Australian climate of lowland Port
Moresby. If these pythons are to be maintained and studied successfully in captivity in New
Guineaa more favourable highland locality would seem necessary for their well-being. Little
is known about this curious python's natural history, breeding habits or preferred diet.
Worrell, (1958), recorded that the note accompanying the type-specimen ofPython taronga,
(= M. boelem), listed the diet as 'water-birds, eggs and paw-paws'.
Morelia spilota (Lacepede) Carpet Python
The Carpet Python or Carpet Snake, Morella .5pilota, is essentially an Australian species
and Hoser, (1982), is of the opinion that six regional forms exist which mayor may not
deserve sub-species or even species status within Australia. However, this species only enters
Papua New Guinea in two areas. It occurs from Merauke in Irian Jaya to the mouth ofthe Fly
River in Western Province but no further east than Balimo on the edge of the rainforest. M.
spilota is also apparently absent from Daru Island to the south. The second population
occurs in the Yule island/Port Moresby region and Central and NCD, (National Capital
District), Provinces where it seems to be the commonest nocturnal snake, large numbers
perishing nightly on the roads around the capital. This distribution pattern in two distinct
areas of Papua New Guinea mirrors the distributional ranges of several other Australian
species, namely the elapids Oxyuranusscutellatus and Glyphodon tristts, (McDowell 1975),
which may have invaded Papua New Guinea from Australia during a glacial period when the
sea level was lower. It is also possible that the New Guinea green tree python,
Chondropython viridis, may have made a reverse invasion of Australia from southern New
Guinea during the same or a similar period.
Carpet pythons have probably been bred on numerous occasions. At Taronga Zoo,
Sydney a2.1m female and a 1.9m male mated in September, (Boos 1979). Thefemale laid 14
eggs in early December and after a 37 39 day incubation period, during which time the
67
9. MARK O'SHEA
female was never seen to leave her coiled position around the eggs, 11 hatched.
The Carpet python, which grows to over 1.6m, (5ft). has quite a variable pattern even in
New Guinea and almost every specimen encountered was different in some way. However,
the basic pattern consists ofa patchwork ofdeep brown and light yellow-brown patches with
a dark chestnut brown arrow marking on the top of the broad head. The Carpet python
appears to be largely a rodent feeder so it is of positive benefit to the Port Moresby area
where, unfortunately, it is actively persecuted by the human population. This persecution
was illustrated by the discovery of a dead sub-adult Carpet python on Waigani Drive Ikm
from the University of Papua New Guineaearly one morning with a rope tied to its tail. It had
obviously been swung under the passing traffic during the night.
In three nights on the tarmac surfaced Hiritano and Hubert Murray Highways the author
saw nine Carpet pythons. Of these five were DOR, (dead on road), measuring approximately
6lOmm, (2ft), (one); 1220mm, (4ft), (two); 1525mm, (5ft), (two), anda further juvenile male
specimen measuring 578mm, (1ft I lin). which was found stunned and subsequently died
soon after regaining consciousness. Three live specimens, a juvenile female of 633mm, (2ft
Iin), and two males measuring 1350mm. (4ft Sin), were also captured and removed from the
road and later released in countryside to the west of Port Moresby which was crossed only by
dirt and dust roads. (It is well known that nocturnal snakes linger on warm tarmac roads at
night and many are killed by passing motor vehicles.) These snakes were extremely aggressive
when handled but the juvenile fed easily on several ground skinks, Carliafusca.
In the Western Province lv/orelia spilota seems to be far less common and only one
specimen was found during the expedition's two months in that province. However, this
specimen was a large male measuring 1815mm, (almost 5ft), which is very large for Papua
New Guinea. This python was found crawling over the ground on the bare earth below a
house in the village ofMabaduwane at 20:00 in the evening. According to the villagers it was
seeking chickens.
With the survival of the POft Moresby population of Carpet pythons in mind the author
believes that some sort ofeducational programme to deter the deliberate slaughter ofsnakes,
and Carpet pythons in particular, should be considered, pointing out the benefits to the local
population of having large, non-venomous, rat eating snakes around human habitations.
Many of the serpentine road casualties may be accidental but an equal number are obviously
deliberate attempts to run snakes over judging by the skid marks which accompany many of
the DOR examples.
Chondropython viridis (Schlegel) Green Tree Python
The Green Tree Python is probably the most strikingly attractive snake species in New
Guinea where it has been recorded from every mainland province of Papua New Guinea,
again with the exception the Southern Highlands Province, and throughout Indonesian New
Guinea or Irian Jaya to an altitude of 1500 - 2oo0m in forested habitats. Although the
species has also been reported from the islands ofGeelvink Bay and Normanby Island to the
northwest of Irian Jaya it appears to be absent from the large archipelagoes to the east of
Papua. Extralimitally Chondropython also occurs on the Indonesian islands of Misool,
Salawati and the Aru Islands and also in the eastern rainforests of Cape York Peninsula.
Queensland, (Worrell 1963, Cogger 1975).
10. TJ II-: PYTHONS OF NEW GUINEA
Platt? 5: (irc' LIl'l rc'c I''lll!lll ( pl 'cllik) ( '!/( l/u /r(lI',,',!w!I "iridi,'
The high ly arboreal bright green adult ｾ Ｌ＠ hich reach I ,6m, (51'1), 11 ｾｬ＠ 'e 'Cllow venters and a
ｾ･ｲｩ･＼［＠ of I hilt cak along the mid-do rsa l ,ca lc rO Il which produces the effect of a
:oll li nllOu,>, i f lig htly punCluateu, tTlebra l siriflc', Occa <;ionalJy a seriC'> of irregular lateral
hlue blotch e<; may al so be prc'>el1l , Th e iri , of the el e is bron ze and Ihe vertically elliplical
pupil is bi sected by a uark broil n ,q ri pe through it scen trc , The j ul'eniIe is el'en more <;{ ri king
heing coloureu viv id lemon yello 'l ith a series of Sill e
ll I w hite centred, black edged
｣ｊｯｲｾｯ ｬ｡ｴ･ｲ｡ｬ＠ triangles anu latcral bJack Ikd ing ｾｪ＠ ｬ ＨＩ ｮｧ＠ il s lengt h , The head is i/lladed by
ｳｾ ｜＠ ･ ｲ｡ｬ＠ or th ese black ed ged, whi tl' mark ings and one , uch st ripe passe', from the tip olthe
snout, through the light yellow eye, bisect ing Ihe I ert icalJy cllipt ica l pupi I, to Ihe angle of the
j a', The ven ter is pal c yellow bu t Ihe t:lilt ip isa co nt ra sting da rk black, It has been suggested
I ha t I he Iai1t ip may be used as a II riggling lure to ciIher all ract Iizards and smalllllammai s to
within slriking distance or 10 momenta ri ly distral'l th ei r allenlion ('ru i ll Ihe head of the
pYlhon, The author did observe 'tail II riggling' whenlhe JUl enlle PYlhonll'as presenled wilh
a newly-furred mouse and similar 'Iail -Illilching' behaviour has been reponed in th e
Australo-Papuan dealh adder, Acal1/hophis anlOrCliclIs, the African puff adder, Bilis
arie/a/ls , and the Central American barba amarilla, BOlhrops alrox asper, Wheth er th e
purpose of this behaviour is Ihe sam e ｩｾ＠ open to discussion. As Ihe juvenile reaches early
maturit y it changes from yello w to th e green livery of the adull, Parker, (1982), maintains
thaI this change only takes 2 - 3 days and Ihat the cen tre of each scale becomes green and
gradually thi s pigment spreads OUI to en ve lope th e en lire scale, It is also interesting to note
that occasionally red or orange ju veniles ha ve been found In West Sepik Province, Th e diet
of these python s appears to include ｢ｩｲ､ ｾ＠ Ｌ＠ ｾ ｭ｡ｬｬ＠ mammal s and lizard s, a captured juvenile
disgorging a ground skin k, Car/ia fusca, and bOlh juvenile and adult specimens eagerly
f)'1
11. MARK O'SHEA
taking mice captured in the herpetological survey drift fences. Certain prey animals are
captured whilst aloft but Chondropython viridis does descend to the ground to forage after
dark and this is probably when most specimens are captured by villagers for food. McDowell
also suggests that Chondropython feeds on the ground rather than aloft because most adult
stomach contents he examined were comprised of mammalian remains rather than feathers
as would be expected in an arboreal predator. Parker, (1982), reports a large female,
(l245mm SVL), from Kunini which laid 13 eggs measuring 41 - 49mm x 26 - 30mm. All the
eggs failed to hatch.
Four specimens of C. viridis were found in the Southern Trans-Fly region of Western
Province during the expedition. Two adult males measuring 1574mm and 1578mm were
found on the ground after dark in garden areas between the village ofKunini and the Binaturi
River, A sickly 1264mm female was also collected in the same area just after dark indicating
that the species is very common. A 442mm yellow juvenile was obtained in the early
afternoon on a path near the village of Giringarande 5km north of Kunini on the Gomoni
River. Several of the adult specimens had fairly heavy infestations ofcestodes, (tapeworms),
which manifested themselves as raised soft subcutaneous blisters. Specimens of the
tapeworms, which were also discovered in a wide variety of other snake species including
colubrids and elapids, were removed by excision ofa blister with a scalpel and then eased out
with a pair of narrow forceps to be preserved in 10070 formalin for museum examination.
People in villages which specialised in eating pythons were interviewed to see ifany particular
precautions were taken in the preparation of python meat infested with these tapeworms but
they seemed unconcerned. Within the Western Province Parker, (1982), also reports
specimens from monsoon forest areas at Wipim, Peawaand Woroi on theOriomo River, on
Daru Island off the southern coast, from Balimo and Kiunga north of the Fly River and
Morehead to the west.
It is interesting to note that Chondropython viridis bears a very striking resemblance to the
South American emerald tree boa, Coral/us caninus, which exhibits the same habitat and
dietary preferences and which also undergoes an ontogenic colour change from orange
juvenile to green adult. So similar are the two species that it is often necessary to examine the
labial heat sensitive pits to tell them apart in captivity. In Chondropylhon viridis the pits are
intralabial, (within the labial scales), whereas the pits of Corallus caninus are interlabial,
(between the labial scales).
PART THREE: NON-PREHENSILE-TAILED PYTHONS
Liasis albertisi (Peters & Doria) White-lipped or 0'Albertis python
D'Albertis python is a fairly large endemic species. Parker, (1982), reports a2410mm, (7ft
llin), specimen from Wipim, Western Province. It has been recorded from Irian Jaya as far
west as Salawati Island and in all of the mainland provinces of Papua New Guinea except for
Milne Bay, Southern Highlands and, perhaps strangely, Gulf Province. One curiously
isolated popUlation exists on Mussau Island in the St. Matthias Group far to the north of
New Ireland although no specimens are known from either New Britain or New Ireland in the
Bismarck Archipelago to the east of Papua New Guinea. It is possible that the Massau
population is a relict from a time when Liasisalbertisioccupied both the New Guinea and the
70
12. THE PYTHONS OF NEW GUINEA
Bismarck Archipelago prior to the evolution of the Bismarck's own endemic fauna,
including Liasisboa which does not occur on Massau. The presenceofL. albertision Mussau
Island, whilst it is absent from neighbouring island groups, is interesting because the wart
snake, Acrochordusgranulatus, has also been recorded from the 81. Matthias Group and on
the New Guinea mainland but not from the other islands of the Bismarck Archipelago. L.
albertisi appears to be a lowland rainforest and monsoon forest species, not usually
occurring above approximately 1000m. It is believed to prey on small mammals and
Loveridge, (1948), found spines from a Bandicoot from the faeces ofa specimen from Toem.
Parker, (1982), lists two clutches ofeggs from L. albertisiwhich were collected in the wild
but which failed to hatch; nine eggs from Karimui, Chimbu Province, measuring
69 -77mm x 39 - 41mm, and five eggs from 80geri, Central Province, measuring
70 - 87mm x 35 - 42mm. Ten eggs from Lae, Morobe Province, measuring
56 - 64mm x 33 - 35mm were successfully incubated for 58 days and the hatchlings
measured 350 - 363mm 8VL. Parker notes that as the snakes in the northern populations are
smaller than their southern counterparts the eggs and hatchlings of southern clutches can be
expected to be larger than those in the Lae clutch.
The python is easily identified since it has an iridescent blue-black dorsum and a pale
cream or off-white underbelly. The head is glossy black in stark contrast to the distinct black-
barred, white labials. The specimens on the northern coast are smaller with brown dorsums
and yellow venters but the glossy head and the distinctive white labials are still apparent,
(McDowell 1975, Boos 1983).
Apart from the Wipim specimen Parker records L. albertisiin the Western Province from
Abam on the Oriomo, Ture Ture on the coast near Kunini, Emeti in the east and from a
number of localities in the north of the province. Two specimens were collected during the
herpetological survey. A 2440mm, (8ft), male with a damaged left eye was rescued alive from
a local fisherman's gill net on the Binaturi River a few kilometres upstream of Kunini.
Pythons frequently become accidentally entangled in this way. A second specimen,
measuring 2300mm, (7ft 6in), also a male, was collected from a ditch near the centre of the
village of Boze 5km northeast of Kunini on the Binaturi River. These pythons appear to be
associated with riverine habitats. Parker, (1982), states that L. albertisi is a widespread
species of rainforest and monsoon forest habitats but that it is nowhere common contrary to
McDowell's comment that this species is probably the most common species ofLiasis in New
Guinea.
Liasis boa (Schlegel) New Ireland Ringed Python
The New Ireland Python is confined to forested areas of the Bismarck Archipelago in the
New Ireland and East and West New Britain Provinces of Papua New Guinea but it is absent
from the 81. Matthias Group to the north. Two colour morphs exist; a unicolour brown
phase with a yellow venter and a black and orange-brown banded phase. In both phases the
head is dark brown to black with a paler throat and chin. In some unicolour specimens a faint
series ofdarker brown blotches are evident on the flanks which fuse to form the suggestions
of dorsal crossbands. The banded pattern is particularly well illustrated in juveniles. Very
little is known of the natural history of this species although London Zoo are attempting a
breeding programme with a male on a breeding loan from an American collection.
71
13. MARK O'SHEA
Liasis mackloti (Dumeril & Bibron) Macklot's Water Python
McDowell, (1975), recognises the name Liasis mack/oli over LiasisJuscus for this species
in New Guinea and Australia stating that they are probably distinct from the Lesser Sunda
Island specimens. Other authors, (Cogger 1975, Hoser 1981, Cogger et. al. 1983), retain
Juscus either for the species as a whole or for the Australian populations.
Liasis mack/ati, Macklot's water python, is recorded as occurring in Northern Territory
and Queensland, Australia, on the Torres Strait Islands and the Lesser Sunda Island of
Timor and its neighbours but its range in Papua New Guinea is confined to the southern
coastal strip of Western Province where it inhabits lagoons and grassland swamps preying on
mammals, birds, lizards and apparently young crocodiles, (Hoser 1981, Parker 1982). A
Sigabaduru specimen caught in a fisherman's net regurgitated a heron. Parker records this
2m, (3m in Australia - Hoser (981), python from Abam, Mabaduwanand Sigabaduruin the
expedition area and from Balamuk in the west, Balimo in the east and Lake Murray near the
Fly-Strickland River confluence to the north. It has been suggested that L. mack/oli may also
be found in the Central Province/NCO coastal strip from Port Moresby towards the
d'Entrecasteaux Islands in the east. This dual Western Province/Central Province
distribution is quite common for Australian colonising species occurring in New Guinea i.e.
M. spilata, Oxyuranusscutellatus, Glyphodon tristis. However, in Western Province Parker
does not believe L. mack/ati occurs any further east than Balimo on the edge of the
rainforest. No specimens of Liasis macklali were found during the expedition.
It is a slender, though still powerful, species and it can be distinguished from Liasis
a/bertisi and L. papuanus by the absence, or only feeble representation, of rostral pits. In the
Western Province Parker reports the species as dorsally black or blackish brown with a
glossy iridescent sheen and.ventrally bright yellow with a white chin, grey subcaudal:> and a
black tail tip.
Ross and Larman, (1977), brcd the water python in captivity in the United States. The
hatchlings from a clutch of eight eggs measured between 270 and 290mm. Boos, (1983),
reports a female in captivity at Taronga Zoo which coiled around a clutch of II eggs to
incubate them until they hatched after 57 61 days. She left the eggs periodically to feed or
slough her skin.
Liasis papuanus (Peters & Doria) Papuan python
Liasis papuanus is extremely widespread throughout New Guinea from Misool Island to
the east of Irian Jaya, through the lowlands of the mainland and as far east as Fergusson
Island in the d'Entrecasteaux Islands, Milne Bay Province. In the Western Province it is
common in both lowland monsoon forest and savanna having been recorded from Wipim,
Oriomo, Lake Murray and the Kiunga region by Parker, (1982). Whitaker and Whitaker,
(1982), record that specimens from the roads around Port Moresby are frequently delivered
to the Moitaka wildlife station. This is a large python, (specimens measuring over 4m,
13 14ft, have been collected), and McDowell states that the species could exceed Morelia
amethistina as the largest species of New Guinea python. It is possible that the giant skin of
Liasis maximus, (Werner 1936), which was thought to have originated from New Guinea,
(possibly Astrolabe Bay), and which measured 4300mm, (14ft), may have been a large
exampleofL. papuanus. Unfortunately, the skin, which was in the collection ofthe National
Museum of Budapest, has been destroyed. However, a specimen in the American Museum of
72
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15. MARK O'SHEA
Natural History from Buniguni village was reportedly measured at 4390mm, (l4Ihft),
before skinning. Liasis papuanus also exceeds More/ia amethistina in build as the latter is a
more slender species.
In colouration L. papuanus is dorsally olive-brown with black interstitial skin and
ventrally light grey. The labials are light buffor grey and speckled with darker pigment. The
dark colour of the interstitial skin contrasts with the light colour of those tissues in both
Liasis mack/oti and the Australian Liasis o/ivaceus. Stull, (1935), placed L. papuanus as a
subspecies of L. olivaeus, possibly because they both exhibit high ventral counts unlike any
other Australasian pythons, (McDowell 1975). McDowell argues for the recognition of L.
papuanus as a distinct species based on the closer apparent relationship between L. o/ivaceus
and L. mack/oti which exist sympatrically in Australia.
Three specimens ofLiasispapuanuswere found whilst 'road-cruising' on the Hiritanoand
Hubert Murray Highways to the north and east of Port Moresby. Two of these were DOR,
(dead on road), specimens which measured over 1830mm, (6ft). The third specimen was a
female measuring 915m, (3ft), found alive on the Hiritano Highway between the Laloki
River and Brown River road-bridges. This specimen had the heaviest infestation ofcestodes
ofany snake examined by the author during the expedition but whilst it was kept captive and
observed it was also found to possess a voracious appetite taking any mice offered. Twolarge
specimens of 2 3m were also reported by expedition patrols visiting villages where the
pythons were being prepared as food.
L. papuanus, due to its size, has been recorded as taking a wide variety of different prey
animals from small mammals to a 22.7kg agile wallaby, (Parker, 1982), swallowed by a
3830mm SVL, (12ft), specimen from Wipim. The type specimen was found to have eaten a
Dorcopsis wallaby, (McDowell 1975). However, a drowned 1932mm, (6ft 3in), Papuan
python retrieved from a fisherman's gill net on the Binaturi River near Kunini was found to
contain a 1950mm, (6ft 4in) Amethystine python, Morelia amethistina, and large numbers
of nematode worms, (O'Shea 1987). Ophiophagy, (snake cannibalism), is rarely seen in
pythons in the wild and only one species, the desert dwelling Australian black-headed python
Aspidites melanocepha/us, is recorded as a habitual snake-eater. As no other prey was
present in the gut of the Papuan python it must be assumed that one python deliberately
preyed upon the other. Although Boos, (1983), reports that this species is reputed to be
ophiophagous the author has been unable to locate any other reports of such behaviour.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
For invaluable assistance in the field during the 31h months duration ofthe project, thanks
to the Venturers of Operation Raleigh; also the University of Papua New Guinea, (John
Pernetta, Peter Lambley, John Hillary); National Museum of Papua New Guinea, (Jim
Menzies); Fred Parker and Division of Environment and Conservation, (Karol Kisokau).
74
16. THE PYTHONS OF NEW GUINEA
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75
