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Distribution, Status and Conservation of Pythons in Western Australia

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Distribution, Status and Conservation of Pythons in Western Australia Distribution, status and conservation of pythons in Western Australia David J. Pearson Department of Conservation and Land Management, P.O. Box 51, Wanneroo, WA 6065 ABSTRACT Museum accessions, published records and siglitings by conservation agency staff, herpetologists and desert Aborigines were used to review the distribution of nine python taxa occurring in Western Australia, and to assess their current status. Tropical, sub-tropical and arid zone species appear to have secure populations, with the exception of Morelia carinata, which is known from just three individuals. Aspidites ramsayi and Morelia spilota imbricata have both declined markedly in the temperate Downloaded from http://meridian.allenpress.com/rzsnsw-other-books/book/chapter-pdf/2644411/rzsnsw_1993_062.pdf by guest on 27 September 2021 south-west of Western Australia over the last 30 years. Habitat destruction and fragmentation were probably the major contributing factors in the Wheatbelt region; however, predation by feral animals and vegetation change due to fire may be significant in other parts of their range. Morelia olivacea barroni occupies restricted habitats in the Pilbara and its populations need to be closely monitored. INTRODUCTION Numerous taxonomic schemes have been used to arrange Australian pythons. In this The conspicuous size and easy idendfication paper, nomenclature for species follows that of most pythons might suggest that our under- of Underwood and Stimson (1990), and for standing of their distribution and status in subspecies. Smith (1981a, 1981b, 1985). Western Australia (WA) would be reasonably Detailed discussion of changes to nomen- thorough. However, their seasonal and noctur- clature can be found in Smith (1981a, 1981b), nal activity patterns, and cryptic habits result Cogger et al. (1983) and Underwood and in only sporadic sightings. These tend to occur Sdmson (1990). when pythons are crossing roads, sheltering in sheds or houses, or raiding aviaries, often to their peril. METHODS Museum accessions were the primary source In Australia, 14 species of pythons are of information used to determine distributions. currently recognized and nine of these occur Listings of python specimens were obtained in WA (Wilson and Knowles 1988; Cogger from the Western Australian Museum, the 1992). Two species and four subspecies are South Australian Museum, the Northern WA endemics (Storr et al. 1986). Pythons are Territory Museum of Arts and Science, and the distributed throughout WA, from the northern Australian Museum. Kimberley coast to the islands of the Archipelago of the Recherche off the southern This information was supplemented by coastline. While the distribution of most several other sources. Sightings were collated species appears to have changed little in the from various publications, particularly wildlife surveys of specific regions in WA. Aboriginal last 50 years, available data for most species oral information was collected during several are poor. There is evidence that two species trips into the Western Desert region of WA may have declined (Bush 1981; Smith 1981a). and adjoining areas of the Northern Territory Here, the distribution and status of WA (NT) in 1992-93. WA Museum specimens of python species is reviewed using several Aspidites melanocephalus, A. ramsayi (adult and sources of information to supplement Museum juvenile), Morelia stimsoni and M. spilota records. Patterns of distribution are examined imbricata were shown to Aboriginal people in and possible factors causing the decline of seven desert communities. The latter species some species are discussed. The primary focus has not been recorded from the region, but of the work is on pythons in the Wheatbelt, the was included to represent the closely allied southwestern corner and central desert areas. Morelia bredli, which is distributed in the This reflects the number of observers in the central-western portion of the Northern south-west of the State, as well as recent Territory (Gow 1981; Cogger 1992). The spirit fieldwork in desert areas. Proposals for future specimens were supplemented with large research and conservation recommendations colour photographs, showing various postures are outlined. of each species. Herpetology in Australia 383 Python names in local Aboriginal dialects In addition, a survey questionnaire was sent were collected, along with information on their to CALM Wildlife Officers (30), CALM distribution, habitat preferences, diet, repro- regional ecologists (4), licensed reptile-keepers duction and shelter requirements. The ethno- (6) and a number of herpetologists (8) to elicit zoological data will be presented in a future python sightings. Questions were asked about publication. Orthography of Western Desert the species seen during their time of residence Aboriginal names follows that of Douglas in WA, and the species and numbers seen in (1964). the previous 12 months. Details of specific sightings (giving location and habitat) and Files held by the Department of Conserva- evidence of regional population changes were tion and Land Management (CALM) were also sought. It was hoped that the survey would examined for breaches of the Wildlife Conser- help locate suitable populations for detailed vation Act (1950) which involved pythons. ecological research. Breach reports from 1986 to 1993 were inspected to record locations where animals Downloaded from http://meridian.allenpress.com/rzsnsw-other-books/book/chapter-pdf/2644411/rzsnsw_1993_062.pdf by guest on 27 September 2021 RESULTS had been obtained, and to assess the extent of any illegal trade in pythons. Other information Museum accession records required careful on illegal activities was sought from CALM scrutiny before their inclusion in distribution officers, TRAFFIC Oceania and the Australian maps. Data recorded for early specimens was Nature Conservation Agency. often rudimentary, and sometimes questionable. LITTLE SANDY DESERT GIBSON DESERT Fig. 1. Regions and locations in Western Papulanku^a Australia and adjacent areas GREAT VICTORIA DESSR T which are • Cosmo Newbery mentioned in the text. MarchagM GOLDFIELDS Mooia WHEATBELT NULLARBOR • Dfyandra State Forest Striing Afchlixlagoof tha Rechefche 384 Herpetology in Australia The rationalization of WA Museum collections Table 1. Aboriginal names for python taxa in the central in the past has led to some early specimens deserts of Western Australia. being discarded. Recent taxonomic changes, Aspidites melanocephalus warrurungkalpa (Ng, Pit, Pi, Lu) such as the revision of the Morelia childreni Aspidites ramsayi kuniya (Ng, Pit, Pi, Lu) species-^oup (Smith 1985), meant that the inturlkurl (Pi, Lu) correct identity of some discarded specimens ngalyipi (Lu) could not be established. Similarly, literature (juvenile) kupa kupa (Ng) records and sightings by survey respondents Morelia stimsoni nantalpa (Ng, Pit, Pi, Lu) were closely scrutinized where either, two tatjalpa (Ng, Pit, Pi) members of the M. childreni species-group, or Key to dialects: Ng Ngaanyatjarra Pit Pitjantjatjarra M. olivacea olivacea and M. mackloti, may have Pi Pintupi been found in sympatry. Doubtful records Lu Luritja were excluded from analysis. Wildlife surveys and naturalist guides of From June 1986 to June 1993, 306 offences various regions in WA proved to be useful were reported relating to illegal "taking" of Downloaded from http://meridian.allenpress.com/rzsnsw-other-books/book/chapter-pdf/2644411/rzsnsw_1993_062.pdf by guest on 27 September 2021 sources of python sightings and information vertebrates, in contravention of Section 16 of (O'Loughlin 1966; Burbidge 1969; Serventy the Wildlife Conservation Act (1950). Of these, 1970; Butler, undated; Butler 1971; Storr and 15 (5%) offences concerned pythons. One Hanlon 1980; Bush 1981; Dell and How 1985; instance involved a person apprehended for Gibson 1986; How et al. 1988; Storr and probable overseas exportation of three Harold 1985; Walker 1986; How et al. 1991; pythons, one of an attempted local sale of a Gambold 1992; Dell and Harold 1993). Loca- single python and the remainder were for tions and regions in WA and adjacent areas of people keeping one or two individuals as pets. the NT mentioned in the text are shown in A total of 32 responses were received from Figure 1. the survey questionnaire. Over the year prior All Aboriginal groups interviewed were to the survey, respondents reported seeing familiar with at least some python taxa. Table from nil to 23 individual pythons. The mean 1 lists the names collected for species in desert number was 4.8, but this was heavily biased areas. Aboriginal sightings are reported in the due to two Kimberley-based observers who saw species accounts below. 23 and 16 respectively. The median number of Fie 2. Occurrence of Aspidites melanocephalus in Western Australia and nearby regions. Museum specimens are indicated by open circles; survey sightings by solid circles; and Aboriginal records by solid squares. Herpetology in Australia 385 sightings was two. Only Morelia carinata was not south along the coasdine to Cape Range; and reported by respondents. The number of sight- eastwards into the arid grasslands, rocky out- ings of several other species was low; M. crops and islands of the Pilbara (Storr et al. childreni (3), M. mackloti (1), Morelia olivacea bar- 1986) The conspicuous black hood and roni (2) and Morelia spilota variegata (3). strongly-banded body of A. melanocephalus made it readily identifiable to most observers. Road-kills of eight species were reported,
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