serpens
Volume 1 I Number 1
THIS ISSUE
From the Editor
1
From the BPSG Chair
2
Boas and pythons in
the news
2
From the Orianne
Society
3
Recent scientific
publications
5
Book review
9
Upcoming Events
10
BPSG Committee
11
© Daniel Natusch
+
Green python
Morelia viridis
FROM THE EDITOR
Welcome to the first newsletter of the IUCN/SSC Boa & Python Specialist Group (BPSG) –
serpens.
The BPSG started in August 2011, and since then it has concentrated on developing the group
An arboreal species of
python distributed
throughout the Island of
by appointing core members and working on its corporate image. The BPSG is currently
focusing on the significant trade in Southeast Asian pythons, but hopes to encourage and act as
New Guinea and a small
a focal point for all researchers working on the natural history and conservation of boa and
area in Northern Australia.
python species worldwide. The BPSG welcomes you and your colleagues to send us any project
Juveniles are born either
news, reports, recent publications, and photos. Sharing your valued efforts with the BPSG
‘brick’ red or ‘banana’
yellow and later change to
‘lime’ green (above). The
green python is the symbol
for the BPSG.
allows us to document and promote research and conservation work on our focal species.
Finally, thank you to all those members who contributed to the first serpens!
Jessica Lyons, BPSG serpens Editor
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serpens
Vol. 1 I No. 1
Serpens is a bi-yearly newsletter produced
Serpens is distributed to the BPSG members
BPSG or wish to make a donation to the
and distributed by the IUCN/SSC Boa &
and to other interested individuals and
group’s conservation initiatives, please
Pythons Specialist Group (BPSG). The
organizations twice a year in January and
contact Guillermo Adrián Puccio at
newsletter provides information on the
July. The newsletter is free, and will be
[email protected]
conservation, status, and news concerning
available to download online at the BPSG
boas and pythons. Current events, such as
website. Visit the BPSG on Facebook to keep
scientific research, workshops, and fieldtrips
up to date with the group. If you would like
are also detailed in the newsletter.
to assist with fundraising efforts for the
FROM THE
BPSG CHAIR
The establishment of the IUCN/SSC
Boa & Python Specialist Group satisfies
a long-standing personal desire, but
more importantly fulfills an overdue
necessity considering the threats these
species face. Boas and pythons are
widely distributed in tropical and
subtropical regions of the world,
however, clear-cutting of forests,
substitution of natural habitats by
demand for their skins for the fashion
and to influence the decision-making
crops and infrastructure, introduced
industry. For many of these species,
process regarding the conservation of
predators and competitors,
scientists and institutions have to cope
these fascinating creatures. Needless to
international trade, and climate change,
with the attention of public opinion and
say, Serpens is an open channel for your
threaten their survival globally. Most
are challenged with the elusive issue of
contributions, views and remarks. I hope
taxa known to be at risk are relatively
sustainability. However, this should not
readers share my view that the
small, inhabiting insular or restricted
be a task for individuals. Therefore, the
contribution of Jess Lyons, the Editor, in
habitats, and severely affected by
BPSG has been created with the aim of
proposing and designing Serpens serves
habitat destruction and invasive
bringing together scientists and
as an example of the proactive spirit we
species. On the other hand, a number
conservationists from around the world
need within the BPSG.
of charismatic species are in high
to foster global conservation actions
BOAS AND PYTHONS IN THE NEWS
HA NOI – The Convention on
International Trade in Endangered Species
of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) recently
released an announcement outlining the
prohibition of importing several species of
pythons into the United States, including
the python molurus bivittatus, which is
being bred for export in Viet Nam.
According to the announcement, four
species of pythons, including the eunectes
notaeus, python molurus, python
natalensis and python sebae, are
considered as "harmful wild animals" by
the US. The announcement specifies
prohibition in the import of live
specimens, including their sperm, eggs and
hybrid specimens into the US, and the
transport of these animals through the US
to other countries. The import of dead
specimens and products made from the
parts of dead pythons, however, are not
prohibited. Following the announcement,
the Viet Nam Administration of Forestry
under the Ministry of Agriculture and
Rural Development yesterday requested
departments in cities and provinces to send
relevant announcements about the US's
new regulation to facilitate adjustments of
company production plans. Local
departments were also requested to
conduct more inspections and supervision
in the breeding and trading of wild animals
to prevent violations of Vietnamese laws
and CITES rules.
Viet Nam News 13/04/2012
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serpens
Vol. 1 I No. 1
FROM THE ORIANNE SOCIETY
WWW.ORIANNESOCIETY.ORG
Exploring the Python
Burmese pythons in their native range
has been altered or substantially
Dichotomy
is limited to studies of their basking and
removed by rotation since the early
breeding behavior in Keoladeo National
1900s, with only some small, remnant
Park, Rajsthan, India; a 24-day radio
patches of primary forest left inside the
A tale of two populations: Burmese
telemetric study of a single individual in
park. During our first year of study, we
pythons of Bangladesh may be
Hong Kong; and incidental natural
conducted intensive field surveys in this
dwindling in their native
history observations. Detailed field
forest-plantation mosaic landscape to
environment while thriving as
study on Burmese pythons is long
collect baseline data on the python
invaders half a world away in the
overdue. With that in mind, our
population and create a base for a
Everglades
research team embarked on a field
longer-term ecological study. Our
study of Burmese pythons in
research team also spent hundreds of
Bangladesh's Lawachara National Park
hours in the field and systematically
in May of 2011 with initial financial
documented more than 500 individual
support from The Orianne Society and
snakes and identified 35 snake species
The Explorers Club.
from Lawachara National Park and the
By Shahriar Caesar Rahman
Burmese pythons (Python molurus
bivittatus) in the Florida Everglades have
been the subject of intensive scientific
surrounding tea estates. Several of the
study and media scrutiny in recent
Both subspecies of Asian rock pythons,
years as concern grows about their
snake species were recorded for the
Indian Python (Python molurus molurus)
impact as invaders. It is suspected that
first time from Bangladesh. Despite the
and Burmese Python (Python molurus
the non-native pythons pose a serious
adversity herpetofauna may be facing—
bivittatus), occur in Bangladesh. Once
threat to native ecosystems in Florida,
from indiscriminate killing, road
common throughout the country,
not just in their current range but far
mortality, deforestation, and
pythons are now fragmented into small
beyond. The impact of pythons and
degradation of the habitat—Lawachara
and disjunct populations. They are now
their potential range expansion in other
appears to be a snake hotspot in this
mostly found in the Sundarban
parts of the United States is not clearly
region. Surrounded by tea plantations
mangrove forest in the southwest and
understood, partly because of a lack of
and human habitats on almost all sides,
the mixed-evergreen forests in the
knowledge concerning their ecology and
Lawachara pythons are
northeast and southeast of the country.
behavior in their native range. A half a
opportunistically captured and
Habitat destruction is one major cause
world away, Burmese pythons remain
consumed by the indigenous tribal
of their decline. Indiscriminate killing —
one of the least-studied python species
people living adjacent to the forest.
out of fear or for consumption — is
on the planet. Despite their tremendous
Pythons are also often found on the tea
another.
estates, particularly in porcupine and
popularity in the pet industry, Burmese
pangolin burrows.
pythons in native Asia are something of
Lawachara National Park, a 1,250
a mystery. Drastically understudied in
hectares mixed-evergreen forest,
During our survey, we found an
almost all aspects of their biology, very
located in the northeast of Bangladesh,
abandoned python nest as well as four
little is known about the Burmese
falls within the Indo-Burma Biodiversity
python hatchlings in different parts of
python, their ecology, and natural
Hotspot, which supports some of the
the tea plantation, indicating that
history in Asia. Published knowledge on
most unique and diverse biota on the
pythons use the plantation areas for
the ecology and behavior of free-ranging
planet. Most of the original forest cover
breeding purposes. This summer, we
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Vol. 1 I No. 1
plan to implant radio transmitters and
impact on the Everglades and potential
range. The lack of basic information
miniature temperature loggers on
range expansion in North America.
makes conservation and management
several adult pythons to collect data on
decisions difficult at best, and possibly
movement, ranging patterns, and
Our study site in Bangladesh is at
inappropriate. Collecting information
thermal preference of free-ranging
nearly the same latitude as southern
about their home-range size, habitat
pythons. One of our future research
Florida, which could allow for the
use, thermoregulatory behavior (e.g.
objectives is to answer some important
collection of useful comparative data to
basking) and other aspects of life
scientific questions: How do pythons
help understand the invasion process.
history will be vital for conservation and
react to thermal variation
management of this species in
throughout the year? How much
Bangladesh or anywhere in their
time do they spend basking in
native range.
winter, and do they use different
Shahriar works for the Department of
areas of their activity range in cool
Environmental Science, Independent
months versus warm months? How
University, Bangladesh and Center for
does thermal biology affect
Advanced Research in Natural
detection probability?
Resources and Management
(CARINAM), Bangladesh.
The knowledge gained from this
study could be crucial for many
reasons. Any information that
sheds lights on the natural history
and ecology of pythons could provide
Also, Burmese pythons are considered
knowledge to help understand their
Endangered in much of their native
REGIONAL FOCUS
Asia
Southeast
supply chains that source animal and
Atlas’ by Anslem de Silva provides an
plant products in a manner which does
introduction to snakes of Sri Lanka and
not ensure the legality and
lists the most updated (up to May
sustainability of such sourcing may be
2009) provisional checklist of snakes of
The International Trade Centre (ITC), in
contributing to the overexploitation of
Sri Lanka. If you wish to purchase a
collaboration with the Convention on
certain species. The study will examine
copy, please contact Vijitha Yapa
International Trade in Endangered
the legal and illegal trade of pythons
Bookshop at [email protected]
Species of Flora and Fauna (CITES) is
and highlight best practices in
analysing the trade in python skins with
managing sustainable supply chains.
the aim to strengthen the sustainability
See http://www.intracen.org/analyzing-
of the trade through engagement with
trade-in-wildlife/ for more information.
the fashion industry. Currently, python
skins are used for high-end accessories
Central
like handbags and shoes. International
‘The Snakes of Sri Lanka: A Coloured
Oceania
Jessica Lyons is completing a Master of
Science at the University of New South
Wales, Sydney, Australia. Her thesis is
on the on the global trade of the green
python (Morelia viridis).
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Vol. 1 I No. 1
RECENT SCIENTIFIC PUBLICATIONS
In press
Ecology and conservation of the
endemic Turks Island Boa
(Epicrates c. chrysogaster:
The consequences of alternative
paternal care tactics in freeranging pythons in tropical
Australia
2012
Genetic evidence of a recent
successful colonization of
introduced species on islands: Boa
Serpetes: Boidae) on Big
Stahlschmidt, Z.R., Shine, R. and
constrictor imperator on Cozumel
Ambergris Cay
DeNardo, D.F. (in press). Functional
Island
Ecology
Reynolds, R.G. and Gerber, G.P. (in
press). Journal of Herpetology
Vázquez–Domínguez, E., Suárez–
Shortened abstract — Life-history theory
Atilano, M., Booth, W., Gonzáles–Baca,
attributes the evolution of parental care to
Shortened abstract — The boid genus
C. and Cuarón, A.D. (2012). Biological
the benefits to offspring viability outweighing
Epicrates contains ten species in the West
Invasions doi:10.1007/s10530-012-
any costs to parental viability. However, the
Indies, several of which are listed as
consequences of parental care tactics to
threatened or endangered, while the status
parent(s) and the developmental
of the others remains unknown. Little is
Shortened abstract — Only one study has
environment have seldom been measured
known about Turks Island Boas (E.
described the population genetic structure of
under field conditions. Laboratory research
chrysogaster chrysogaster), a subspecies of
Boa constrictor imperator and only in a single
on pythons shows that maternal nest-site
the Southern Bahamas Boa endemic to the
naturally colonized island. B.c. imperator, a
selection and egg brooding benefit embryos,
Turks and Caicos Islands, and no published
snake with a naturally wide distribution
but prolonged nest attendance may impose
ecological studies exist for this subspecies. A
across the Neotropics, was introduced to
fitness costs to free-ranging females. A
long history of human habitation, greatly
Cozumel Island, Mexico, in 1971. At present,
population of water pythons (Liasis fuscus) in
exacerbated by exponentially increasing
it is one of the most abundant, widely
tropical Australia provides an excellent
development in the last several decades,
distributed, terrestrial vertebrate on the
opportunity to examine this parent–offspring
appears to be threatening the remaining
island. We analyzed the genetic diversity and
trade-off because females exhibit parental
populations of these boas. However, a lack of
structure, based on seven microsatellite loci,
care polymorphism wherein some individuals
basic ecological information is holding back
of 76 individuals of B.c. imperator from
brood their eggs only briefly (<10 days) post-
conservation efforts. Here we report on the
Cozumel. We also included 96 samples from
oviposition (‘short brooders’) while others
first multi-year ecological study of Turks
different localities across mainland Mexico,
remain with their eggs throughout the
Island Boas, focusing on an important
to review the potential origin of the founder
incubation period (>50 days; ‘long
population located on the small island of Big
individuals. We identified two genetically
brooders’). We used radiotelemetry,
Ambergris Cay in the southeastern margin of
differentiated populations on Cozumel that
temperature and humidity data loggers,
the Caicos Bank. Encounter rates of up to
showed moderate levels of genetic diversity
ultrasonography, haematological techniques,
3.5 snakes per person hour make this
(H
and habitat analyses to examine the
population especially easy to study, and a
significant level of genetic structure (F
correlates and consequences of maternal
total of 249 captures were made, 11 of
nesting decisions in 14 free-ranging female
which were recaptures. We provide basic
unrelated (71 %) and the majority of genetic
pythons over the 4-month reproductive
natural history information including size,
variation was distributed within individuals
season. Nest-site selection and maternal
color pattern, girth, body temperature,
(84 %). We detected a signal of reduction in
attendance enhanced thermal and hydric
abundance, diet, activity, diurnal refuge
population size and evidence of genetic
regimes within the nest. Egg production by
selection, and population size, as well as
bottleneck.
reproducing female pythons resulted in high
clarify the known distribution and
energetic costs (loss of 60% of maternal
conservation concerns of this species.
body mass) and increased parasite load.
0217-x
ST
o
= 0.590–0.620), with a low but
= 0.032). Individuals were highly
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Vol. 1 I No. 1
Snake modulates constriction in
Population structure and gene flow
Shortened abstract — Parental care is a
response to prey's heartbeat
of the Yellow Anaconda (Eunectes
widespread adaptation that evolved
Boback, S.M., Hall, A.E., McCann, K.J.,
notaeus) in Northern Argentina
independently in a broad range of taxa.
Although the dynamics by which two parents
meet the developmental needs of offspring
Hayes, A.W., Forrester, J.S. and
McCartney-Melstad, E., Waller, T.,
Zwemer, C.F. Biology Letters doi:
Micucci, P.A., Barros, M., Draque, J.,
10.1098/rsbl.2011.1105
Amato, G. and Mendez, M. (2012).
spatial complexity of parental care in taxa
PLoS ONE 7(5): e37473
exhibiting female-only care, the predominant
Shortened abstract — Many species of
and kill their prey. Constriction is costly and
snakes must therefore constrict their prey
just long enough to ensure death. However, it
remains unknown how snakes determine
when their prey is dead. Here, we
demonstrate that boas (Boa constrictor) have
the remarkable ability to detect a heartbeat
in their prey and, based on this signal,
modify the pressure and duration of
constriction accordingly. We monitored
pressure generated by snakes as they struck
and constricted warm cadaveric rats
instrumented with a simulated heart. Snakes
responded to the beating heart by
constricting longer and with greater total
pressure than when constricting rats with no
heartbeat. When the heart was stopped
midway through the constriction, snakes
abandoned constriction shortly after the
heartbeat ceased. Furthermore, snakes naive
to live prey also responded to the simulated
Shortened abstract — Yellow anacondas
the behavioral and physiological mechanisms
(Eunectes notaeus) are large, semiaquatic
by which female water pythons Liasis fuscus
boid snakes found in wetland systems in
meet a widespread developmental need
South America. These snakes are
(thermoregulation) in a natural setting.
commercially harvested under a sustainable
Although female L. fuscus were not
management plan in Argentina, so
facultatively thermogenic, they did use
information regarding population structuring
behaviors on multiple spatial scales (e.g.,
can be helpful for determination of
shifts in egg-brooding postures and surface
management units. We evaluated genetic
activity patterns) to balance the thermal
structure and migration using partial
needs of their offspring throughout
sequences from the mitochondrial control
reproduction (gravidity and egg brooding).
region and mitochondrial genes cyt-b and
Maternal behaviors in L. fuscus varied by
ND4 for 183 samples collected within
stage within reproduction and were mediated
northern Argentina. A group of landscape
by interindividual variation in body size and
features and environmental variables
fecundity.
including several treatments of temperature
and precipitation were explored as potential
Digital near-infrared photography
drivers of observed genetic patterns. We
as a tool in forensic snake skin
found significant population structure
identification
between most putative population
comparisons and bidirectional but
Baker, B.W., Reinholz, A.D., Espinoza,
asymmetric migration in several cases.
E.O. (2012). The Herpetological Journal
heart, suggesting that this behaviour is at
least partly innate.
Temporal and spatial complexity of
maternal
© Scott Boback
understanding about the temporal and
mode of parental care. Thus, we examined
snakes use constriction—the act of applying
pressure via loops of their trunk—to subdue
are well studied in birds, we lack
thermoregulation in
tropical pythons
Stahlschmidt, Z.R.,
22(2), 79-82
Shortened abstract — This project
demonstrates that near-infrared (NIR)
imaging with an alternate light source (ALS)
and digital photography are useful tools for
revealing and documenting original dorsal
skin patterns found on dyed snake leather
Shine, R. and DeNardo,
products in the wildlife trade. We used an
D.F. (2012). Physiological
Omnichrome Spectrum 9000+ ALS at NIR
and Biochemical Zoology
wavelengths of 700 nm to reveal dorsal
85(3), 219-230
patterns on a tanned and dyed reticulated
python skin (Python reticulatus) submitted for
forensic analysis. Under NIR imaging, this
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pattern was easily photographed using a
Fujifilm Finepix IS-Pro digital camera
designed specifically for forensic ultraviolet
(UV) and infrared (IR) photography. These
methods have great potential for species
identification based on highly modified
animal products (such as dyed snake
leather), thus contributing to CITES
enforcement efforts.
Ecological attributes and trade of
the white-lipped pythons (Genus
Vol. 1 I No. 1
Tree hollows are of conservation
importance for a Near-Threatened
python species
Bryant, G.L., Dundas, S.J. and Fleming,
P.A. (2012). Journal of Zoology 286 (1),
81-92
Shortened abstract — Understanding
microhabitat requirements for species
vulnerable to anthropogenic threats can
provide important information to
Leiopython) in Indonesian New
conservation managers. This may be
Guinea
particularly true for ectotherms, where
behaviour and physiology (e.g. digestion,
Natusch, D.J.D. and Lyons, J.A. (2012).
responsiveness and activity patterns) are
Australian Journal of Zoology 59(5),
strongly influenced by thermal conditions of
339-343
microhabitat retreat sites. Retreat sites
selected by southwest carpet pythons
venomous snakes inhabiting most of
continental Australia and a small area of New
Guinea. They have been relatively well
studied in Australia, but little is known about
the New Guinea population, even though it is
harvested and exported from Indonesia for
the international pet trade. In total, 281
locality records were compiled for two
distinct populations south of latitude 7°S in
Papua New Guinea and the Indonesian
province of Papua. Traders in Papua
collected 274 carpet pythons (most of which
were recently hatched neonates) for the pet
trade. Data from a sample of 174 individuals
revealed little sexual dimorphism in any
traits, although males appear to grow larger
than females despite females maturing at
greater lengths. Fecundity was high (average
17 eggs) and reproduction was highly
seasonal, with hatching in December and
Shortened abstract — White-lipped pythons
(Morelia spilota imbricata) were identified
(WLPs) (Genus Leiopython) have been
through radio tracking 46 pythons over 3
collected from the wild in Indonesian New
years. Tree hollows appear to be a very
Guinea and exported for the pet trade since
important resource for pythons: 61% (22 of
at least 1977. Despite the long duration of
36 individuals tracked over winter) used tree
trade and recent taxonomic work recognising
hollows as retreat sites (56% of all
shifts in the trade of wild African
six different species, virtually nothing is
observations in winter), and remained in
and Asian pythons
known of the trade dynamics or ecology of
hollows for an average of 124 ± 49 (range 34
these species. Surveys of wildlife traders in
to 210) days. If pythons did not use tree
Luiselli, L., Bonnet, X., Rocco, M. and
Indonesian New Guinea and measurement of
hollows over winter, they found refuge in one
Amori, G. (2011). Biotropica
122 WLPs provides the first information on
of four alternative microhabitats: low
doi: 10.1111/j.1744-
trade and ecological attributes of the two
vegetation cover (26% of winter
most commonly traded species, L. albertisii
7429.2011.00842.x
observations), ground cover (10%), on tree
and L. hoserae. Both species exhibit broadly
branches (6%) or in hollow logs on the
Shortened abstract — Pythons are harvested
similar ecological attributes; however, L.
ground (2%).
for the international leather industry and pet
hoserae has a longer and wider head than L.
January.
2011
Conservation implications of rapid
trade. We analyzed the CITES export records
albertisii. WLP prey mainly on mammals,
Distribution, ecological attributes
(1999–2008) of the most intensively
although smaller snakes were found to feed
and trade of the New Guinea carpet
commercialized wild pythons (Python
python (Morelia spilota) in
regius,Python sebae,Python reticulatus,Python
on lizards. Reproduction appears to be
seasonal with oviposition and hatching
occurring in the summer months between
Indonesia
molurus,Python curtus species complex) from
African and Asian countries where reliable
December and March. Most trade was in L.
Natusch, D.J.D. and Lyons, J.A. (2012).
data on trade rates and ecology are
albertisii and although traders differentiated
Australian Journal of Zoology 59(4),
available. Mean declared annual numbers of
between the two species on the basis of
236-241
exported pythons were 30,000 in five African
colour, both were traded under the name L.
albertisii.
countries and 164,000 in Indonesia. Trade
Shortened abstract — Carpet pythons
intensity tripled in Indonesia over the last
(Morelia spilota) are medium-sized non-
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serpens
Vol. 1 I No. 1
decade, but declined in Africa. African
undertook a genetic analysis of 53 individual
are to be exported for the pet trade,
international trade is exclusively associated
E. c. chrysogaster, representing five island
confirming the reports of wildlife laundering.
with the pet market (mainly United States
populations, with the goal of identifying
Extrapolation of monthly collection estimates
and Europe), whereas Asian pythons are sold
existing population structure and genetic
provided by traders revealed that at least
mostly for luxury leather, albeit more
diversity. For each snake sampled, we
5337 green pythons are collected each year,
recently also for the pet trade. A negative
sequenced one mitochondrial and two
suggesting that at least 80% of the green
correlation between the annual numbers of
nuclear genes, resulting in 1591 bp of
pythons exported from Indonesia annually
pythons traded in Africa vs. Asia suggests a
sequence, and screened nine microsatellite
are illegally wild-caught.
rapid and recent shift of the pressure exerted
loci.
Species Delimitation in the
on wild populations in the two main
exporting continents.
Unexpected shallow genetic
divergence in Turks Island Boas
(Epicrates c. chrysogaster)
reveals single evolutionarily
significant unit for conservation
Reynolds, R.G., Gerber, G.P. and
Wildlife through breeding farms:
Continental Forms of the
Illegal harvest, population declines
Genus Epicrates (Serpentes,
and a means of regulating the
Boidae) Integrating
trade of the green python (Morelia
Phylogenetics and Environmental
viridis) from Indonesia
Niche Models
Lyons, J.A. and Natusch, D.J.D. (2011).
Rivera, P.C., Cola, V.D., Martı´nez, J.J.,
Biological Conservation 144, 3073-
Gardenal, C.N. and Chiaraviglio, M.
3081
(2011). PLoS ONE 6(9): e22199.
Fitzpatrick (2011). Herpetologica 67,
Shortened abstract — Wildlife breeding
477-486
farms have been promoted to aid biodiversity
Shortened abstract — The Turks Island Boa
conservation by alleviating the pressure of
(Epicrates c. chrysogaster) is endemic to the
harvest on wild populations. There is,
Turks and Caicos Islands and is currently
however, growing concern that many
known from only 11 islands. The subspecies
breeding farms are being used to launder
has likely been extirpated from several
illegally caught wildlife. Surveys of wildlife
islands in its historic range, and all
traders in the Indonesian provinces of
remaining populations are threatened with
Maluku, West Papua and Papua were
extirpation owing to habitat loss, introduced
conducted between August 2009 and April
feral predators, malicious killing, and vehicle
2011 to assess the trade of the green python
strikes. To assist conservation efforts, we
(Morelia viridis), the species currently
exported in the largest
numbers from Indonesia
declared as captive-bred. In
total, 4227 illegally collected
wild green pythons were
recorded during surveys and
high levels of harvest were
found to have depleted and
skewed the demographics of
some island populations.
Snakes were traced from their
point of capture to breeding
© Jessica Lyons
farms in Jakarta where they
doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0022199
Shortened abstract — Until recently, the
genus Epicrates (Boidae) presented only one
continental species, Epicrates cenchria,
distributed in Central and South America,
but after a taxonomic revision using
morphologic characters five species were
recognized: E. cenchria, E. crassus, E. maurus,
E. assisi, and E. alvarezi. We analyzed two
independent data sets, environmental niche
models and phylogeny based on molecular
information, to explore species delimitation
in the continental species of this genus. Our
results indicated that the environmental
requirements of the species are different;
therefore there are not evidences of
ecological interchangeability among them.
There is a clear correlation between species
distributions and the major biogeographic
regions of Central and South America. Their
overall distribution reveals that allopatry or
parapatry is the general pattern. These
evidences suggest that habitat isolation
prevents or limits gene exchange among
them.
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2
3
serpens
Vol. 1 I No. 1
+
BOOK
“This meticulously researched
and profusely illustrated work
shines a spotlight on the
REVIEW
dangers caused by introduction
of non-native pythons into
South Florida while providing a
comprehensive account of what
we know about the ecology of
Burmese pythons, both in the
United States and in their
native range. This book will be
of considerable interest to a
wide range of readers including
scholars, researchers, outdoors
people, wildlife enthusiasts,
Invasive pythons in the United States:
and those concerned about the
Ecology of an introduced predator
environmental and human
threats posed by this invasive
Mike Dorcas and John D. Willson
species in the United States."
Russell A. Mittermeier
Most people think of pythons as giant
public that pythons may threaten not
snakes in distant tropical jungles, but
just native species but humans as well.
President, Conservation International, and
Vice President, IUCN
Burmese pythons, which can reach
lengths of over twenty feet and weigh
Despite this widespread concern,
over two hundred pounds, are now
information on pythons has been
thriving in southern Florida.
limited to a few scientific publications
and news coverage that varies widely in
These natives of Asia are commonly
fact and accuracy. With Invasive Pythons
kept as pets and presumably escaped
in the United States, Michael E. Dorcas
or were released in the Everglades.
and John D. Willson provide the most
Pythons are now common in this region;
reliable, up-to-date, and scientifically
widespread throughout hundreds of
grounded information on invasive
square miles, they are breeding and
pythons. Filled with over two hundred
appear to be expanding their range.
color photographs and fifteen figures
Pythons are voracious predators that
and maps, the book will help general
feed on a variety of native wildlife
readers and the scientific community
including wading birds, bobcats, white-
better understand these fascinating
tailed deer, and even alligators. Their
animals and their troubling presence in
presence has drawn dramatic media
the United States.
attention and stoked fears among the
Features information on:
•
General python biology
•
Biology of Burmese pythons in
their native range
•
Research on pythons in the United
States
•
History and status of introduced
pythons in Florida
•
Risks pythons pose in Florida and
elsewhere
•
Methods to control python
populations, and
•
Other boas and pythons that may
become or are already established
in the United States
Reviews and images from Amazon.com, Inc.
http://www.amazon.com
Page 9
serpens
Vol. 1 I No. 1
UPCOMING EVENTS
IUCN World Conservation Congress 2012
The IUCN World Conservation Congress is the world’s largest and most important conservation event. Held every
four years, the Congress aims to improve how we manage our natural environment for human, social and
economic development.
The 2012 World Conservation Congress will be held from 6 to 15 September 2012 in Jeju, Republic of Korea.
Leaders from government, the public sector, non-governmental organizations, business, UN agencies and social
organizations will discuss, debate and decide solutions for the world’s most pressing environment and
development issues.
The Congress starts with a Forum where IUCN members and partners
discuss cutting edge ideas, thinking and practice. The Forum leads into the
IUCN Members’ Assembly, a unique global environmental parliament of
governments and NGOs. Effective conservation action cannot be achieved by
conservationists alone. The 2012 IUCN World Conservation Congress is the
place to put aside differences and work together to provide the means and
mechanisms for good environmental governance, engaging all parts of
society to share both responsibilities and the benefits of conservation.
The Congress has two components:
- A Forum where IUCN members and partners discuss cutting edge ideas, thinking and practice.
- A Members’ Assembly, which is a unique global environmental parliament of governments and NGOs.
Please visit http://www.iucnworldconservationcongress.org/ for more information.
West Indian Boa Group Meeting in Puerto Rico 2013
We would like to host a meeting held at the Universidad Interamericanan de Puerto Rico, Recinto de Arecibo,
Puerto Rico, in September 2013 for researchers interested in West Indian and Latin American boids. If you are
interested in attending such a meeting or joining a Caribbean / Latin American boid group please contact:
Dr. R. Graham Reynolds, University of Massachusetts, Boston at [email protected]
© R. Graham Reynolds and Albert R. Puente-Rolón
Left: Work continues on the
ecology and genetics of the
Puerto Rican Boa (Epicrates
inornatus).
Right: Five years and counting of
research on the Turks Island Boa
(Epicrates c. chrysogaster) in
collaboration with Glenn Gerber
of the San Diego Zoo.
© R. Graham Reynolds
Page 10
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Vol. 1 No. 1
BPSG COMMITTEE
Tomás Waller
BPSG Chair
Guillermo Adrián Puccio
BPSG Executive Officer
Fundación Biodiversidad, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Fundación Biodiversidad, Buenos Aires, Argentina
[email protected]
[email protected]
Mark Auliya
Red List Authority Focal Point
Jessica Lyons
BPSG serpens Editor
Department of Conservation Biology, Helmholtz
School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Science
Centre for Environmental Research, UFZ, Germany
University of New South Wales, Australia
[email protected]
[email protected]
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is the world’s oldest and largest global environmental
organization. Founded in 1948, its six Commissions unite thousands of volunteer experts from a range of
disciplines. The Species Survival Commission (SSC), to which the BPSG belongs, is the largest of them with
approximately 9,000 members distributed in more than 130 groups. SSC advises the Union on the technical
aspects of species conservation and mobilizes action for those species threatened with extinction.