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PILBARA OLIVE PYTHON Liasis olivaceus barroni A (sub)species overview RYAN ELLIS THE SPECIES • Described in 1981 by Laurie Smith (WA Museum) – description from only 8 specimens – 19 specimens to date collected over 91 years • Distinguishable from L.o.olivaceus by – – – – distribution, Isolated within the Pilbara region fewer midbody scales (58-63 vs. 61-72) more ventral scales (374-411 vs. 355-377) variation in head scalation Smith (1981) A revision of the Liasis olivaceus species-group (Serpentes: Boidae) in Western Australia. Rec. WA. Mus 9 (2): 227-233 Conservation Status • VULNERABLE EPBC Act (1995) (a) it is not critically endangered or endangered; and (b) it is facing a high risk of extinction in the wild in the medium term future, as determined in accordance with the prescribed criteria. • Schedule 1 WA WC Act (1950) – fauna that is rare or is likely to become extinct DISTRIBUTION • endemic to Pilbara? – – – – – Onslow in the west to Nifty in the east south from Newman through to the Pilbara coast some records from islands in Dampier Archipelago records scattered throughout most of the region historic (and more recent) records from northern parts of Gascoyne region • Allopatric? – anecdotal evidence of L.o.olivaceus occurring in the pilbara, DeGrey Station. Requires confirmation. eMap (2013) HABITAT • • • • rocky gullies and gorges large breakaways or natural boulder piles watercourses permanent pools or springs • areas of human presence – dams, throughs, buildings etc. DIET reptilia 26% mammalia 48% avifauna 26% Shine & Slip (1990) Biological aspects of the adaptive radiation of Australasian pythons (Serpentes: Boidae). Herpetologica. 46(3): 283-290 DIET Known prey species • birds – various waterbirds inc. wood duck and white-faced heron , corella, spinifex pigeon and coucals • Mammals – Rothschild’s rock-wallaby, euros, fruit bats, northern quoll Suspected prey species • frogs (Litoria rubella), • reptiles (Oedura & Gehyra sp.) • mammals (Zyzomys, Pseudantechinus sp. & bats) Look after POP’s and they will “look after” your NQ problem! REPRODUCTION • mating during cooler months from June to August • eggs laid around October – clutch size ? – Incubation period/characteristics ? • hatchlings emerge December to January – Dispersal ? – survival rates ? SPATIAL ECOLOGY • radiotelemetry studies – moving large distances – home ranges evident but variable (87 to 449 ha) THREATS – introduced species • Predation? • competition – habitat destruction or modification • inappropriate fire regimes • habitat removal • weeds? – decline in prey species • due to similar threats as above – negative human interaction • road mortalities • incidental deaths from misidentification Pearson, D.J. (1993). Distribution, status and conservation of pythons in Western Australia. In: Lunney, D. & D. Ayers, eds. Herpetology in Australia: a Diverse Discipline. Page(s) 383-395. Royal Zoological Society of NSW, Sydney. THREATS OF MINING -increased human presence -road mortalities -incidental deaths/misidentification -destruction or modification of habitat -impacts on water table or areas of permanent water -impacts on prey species SURVEY METHODS • Diurnal observations – Basking individuals – Foraging individuals – Secondary evidence (sloughs & scats) • Cave examinations • Spotlighting – Road cruising if available – Spotlighting habitat WHAT DON’T WE KNOW • • • • most of the aforementioned in more detail predator prey interactions Threatening processes Impacts of mining? RESEARCH PRIOROTIES • literature review – published and unpublished • resolve taxonomic status • management/mitigation of key threats – awareness & control • more ecological studies – radio telemetry in other areas of Pilbara – scat analysis to determine prey consumption – population genetics Liasis olivaceus barroni • Re-assessment of the L.olivaceus species complex with a focus on L.o.barroni • Morphological and molecular support to raise to full species • Further examination required to determine extent of variation within both species by using confirmed specimens form each species Rawlings et al (2004) Phylogenetic relationships of the Australo-Papuan Liasis pythons (Reptilia: Nmacrostomata), based on mitochondrial DNA. Australian Journal of Zoology 52: 215-227 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS • Paul Doughty – WA Museum • Dave Pearson – DPaW • Peter Spencer – Murdoch University • Rick Shine – Sydney University • various consultancies for data and specimen/tissue submissions • freaked out tourists of Tom Price for not calling the police ENDNOTE All specimens and samples are important and can provide a wealth of information on a less known species. • road mortalities or other dead specimens • tissue samples from live specimens • scats If you locate or can provide any of the above please contact and submit specimens/samples to WAM or DPaW Tissue samples from live individuals with associated information and photos are extremely valuable to current and future genetics studies