Download Pilbara Olive Python - Sustainable Consulting

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
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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?
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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
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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
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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