Serpens Volume 1 I Number 1

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serpens Volume 1 I Number 1

THIS ISSUE

From the Editor 1

From the BPSG Chair 2

Boas and pythons in 2 the news

From the Orianne 3 Society

Recent scientific 5 publications

Book review 9

Upcoming Events 10

BPSG Committee 11 © Daniel Natusch

+ FROM THE EDITOR

Green python Welcome to the first newsletter of the IUCN/SSC Boa & Python Specialist Group (BPSG) – Morelia viridis serpens.

The BPSG started in August 2011, and since then it has concentrated on developing the group An arboreal species of by appointing core members and working on its corporate image. The BPSG is currently python distributed focusing on the significant trade in Southeast Asian pythons, but hopes to encourage and act as throughout the Island of 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’ allows us to document and promote research and conservation work on our focal species. yellow and later change to ‘lime’ green (above). The Finally, thank you to all those members who contributed to the first serpens! green python is the symbol for the BPSG. Jessica Lyons, BPSG serpens Editor

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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

The establishment of the IUCN/SSC FROM THE Boa & Python Specialist Group satisfies a long-standing personal desire, but BPSG CHAIR 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 considered as "harmful wild animals" by Rural Development yesterday requested International Trade in Endangered Species the US. The announcement specifies departments in cities and provinces to send of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) recently prohibition in the import of live relevant announcements about the US's released an announcement outlining the specimens, including their sperm, eggs and new regulation to facilitate adjustments of prohibition of importing several species of hybrid specimens into the US, and the company production plans. Local pythons into the United States, including transport of these animals through the US departments were also requested to the python molurus bivittatus, which is to other countries. The import of dead conduct more inspections and supervision being bred for export in Viet Nam. specimens and products made from the in the breeding and trading of wild animals According to the announcement, four parts of dead pythons, however, are not to prevent violations of Vietnamese laws species of pythons, including the eunectes prohibited. Following the announcement, and CITES rules. notaeus, python molurus, python the Viet Nam Administration of Forestry natalensis and python sebae, are under the Ministry of Agriculture and Viet Nam News 13/04/2012

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FROM THE ORIANNE SOCIETY WWW.ORIANNESOCIETY.ORG

Exploring the Python Burmese pythons in their native range has been altered or substantially is limited to studies of their basking and removed by rotation since the early Dichotomy 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 By Shahriar Caesar Rahman Bangladesh's Lawachara National Park hours in the field and systematically in May of 2011 with initial financial documented more than 500 individual Burmese pythons (Python molurus support from The Orianne Society and snakes and identified 35 snake species bivittatus) in the Florida Everglades have The Explorers Club. from Lawachara National Park and the been the subject of intensive scientific surrounding tea estates. Several of the study and media scrutiny in recent Both subspecies of Asian rock pythons, snake species were recorded for the years as concern grows about their Indian Python (Python molurus molurus) first time from Bangladesh. Despite the impact as invaders. It is suspected that and Burmese Python (Python molurus adversity herpetofauna may be facing— the non-native pythons pose a serious bivittatus), occur in Bangladesh. Once from indiscriminate killing, road threat to native ecosystems in Florida, common throughout the country, mortality, deforestation, and not just in their current range but far pythons are now fragmented into small degradation of the habitat—Lawachara beyond. The impact of pythons and and disjunct populations. They are now appears to be a snake hotspot in this their potential range expansion in other mostly found in the Sundarban region. Surrounded by tea plantations parts of the United States is not clearly mangrove forest in the southwest and and human habitats on almost all sides, understood, partly because of a lack of the mixed-evergreen forests in the Lawachara pythons are knowledge concerning their ecology and northeast and southeast of the country. opportunistically captured and behavior in their native range. A half a Habitat destruction is one major cause consumed by the indigenous tribal world away, Burmese pythons remain of their decline. Indiscriminate killing — people living adjacent to the forest. one of the least-studied python species out of fear or for consumption — is Pythons are also often found on the tea on the planet. Despite their tremendous 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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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 areas of their activity range in cool Shahriar works for the Department of 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 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 Southeast 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. Oceania the aim to strengthen the sustainability See http://www.intracen.org/analyzing- Jessica Lyons is completing a Master of of the trade through engagement with trade-in-wildlife/ for more information. Science at the University of New South the fashion industry. Currently, python Wales, Sydney, Australia. Her thesis is skins are used for high-end accessories Central on the on the global trade of the green like handbags and shoes. International ‘The Snakes of Sri Lanka: A Coloured python (Morelia viridis). Page 4

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RECENT SCIENTIFIC PUBLICATIONS

In press The consequences of alternative 2012 paternal care tactics in free- Ecology and conservation of the Genetic evidence of a recent ranging pythons in tropical endemic Turks Island Boa successful colonization of Australia (Epicrates c. chrysogaster: 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 Vázquez–Domínguez, E., Suárez– press). Journal of Herpetology Shortened abstract — Life-history theory Atilano, M., Booth, W., Gonzáles–Baca, attributes the evolution of parental care to C. and Cuarón, A.D. (2012). Biological Shortened abstract — The boid genus the benefits to offspring viability outweighing Invasions doi:10.1007/s10530-012- Epicrates contains ten species in the West any costs to parental viability. However, the 0217-x Indies, several of which are listed as consequences of parental care tactics to threatened or endangered, while the status parent(s) and the developmental Shortened abstract — Only one study has of the others remains unknown. Little is environment have seldom been measured described the population genetic structure of known about Turks Island Boas (E. under field conditions. Laboratory research Boa constrictor imperator and only in a single chrysogaster chrysogaster), a subspecies of on pythons shows that maternal nest-site naturally colonized island. B.c. imperator, a the Southern Bahamas Boa endemic to the selection and egg brooding benefit embryos, snake with a naturally wide distribution Turks and Caicos Islands, and no published but prolonged nest attendance may impose across the Neotropics, was introduced to ecological studies exist for this subspecies. A fitness costs to free-ranging females. A Cozumel Island, Mexico, in 1971. At present, long history of human habitation, greatly population of water pythons (Liasis fuscus) in it is one of the most abundant, widely exacerbated by exponentially increasing tropical Australia provides an excellent distributed, terrestrial vertebrate on the development in the last several decades, opportunity to examine this parent–offspring island. We analyzed the genetic diversity and appears to be threatening the remaining trade-off because females exhibit parental structure, based on seven microsatellite loci, populations of these boas. However, a lack of care polymorphism wherein some individuals of 76 individuals of B.c. imperator from basic ecological information is holding back brood their eggs only briefly (<10 days) post- Cozumel. We also included 96 samples from conservation efforts. Here we report on the oviposition (‘short brooders’) while others different localities across mainland Mexico, first multi-year ecological study of Turks remain with their eggs throughout the to review the potential origin of the founder Island Boas, focusing on an important incubation period (>50 days; ‘long individuals. We identified two genetically population located on the small island of Big brooders’). We used radiotelemetry, differentiated populations on Cozumel that Ambergris Cay in the southeastern margin of temperature and humidity data loggers, showed moderate levels of genetic diversity the Caicos Bank. Encounter rates of up to ultrasonography, haematological techniques, (H o = 0.590–0.620), with a low but 3.5 snakes per person hour make this and habitat analyses to examine the significant level of genetic structure (F population especially easy to study, and a correlates and consequences of maternal ST = 0.032). Individuals were highly total of 249 captures were made, 11 of nesting decisions in 14 free-ranging female unrelated (71 %) and the majority of genetic which were recaptures. We provide basic pythons over the 4-month reproductive variation was distributed within individuals natural history information including size, season. Nest-site selection and maternal (84 %). We detected a signal of reduction in color pattern, girth, body temperature, attendance enhanced thermal and hydric population size and evidence of genetic abundance, diet, activity, diurnal refuge regimes within the nest. Egg production by bottleneck. selection, and population size, as well as 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. Page 5

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Snake modulates constriction in Population structure and gene flow Shortened abstract — Parental care is a widespread adaptation that evolved response to prey's heartbeat of the Yellow Anaconda (Eunectes independently in a broad range of taxa. notaeus) in Northern Argentina Boback, S.M., Hall, A.E., McCann, K.J., 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., are well studied in birds, we lack Zwemer, C.F. Biology Letters doi: Micucci, P.A., Barros, M., Draque, J., understanding about the temporal and 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 mode of parental care. Thus, we examined snakes use constriction—the act of applying Shortened abstract — Yellow anacondas the behavioral and physiological mechanisms pressure via loops of their trunk—to subdue (Eunectes notaeus) are large, semiaquatic by which female water pythons Liasis fuscus and kill their prey. Constriction is costly and boid snakes found in wetland systems in meet a widespread developmental need snakes must therefore constrict their prey South America. These snakes are (thermoregulation) in a natural setting. just long enough to ensure death. However, it commercially harvested under a sustainable Although female L. fuscus were not remains unknown how snakes determine management plan in Argentina, so facultatively thermogenic, they did use when their prey is dead. Here, we information regarding population structuring behaviors on multiple spatial scales (e.g., demonstrate that boas (Boa constrictor) have can be helpful for determination of shifts in egg-brooding postures and surface the remarkable ability to detect a heartbeat management units. We evaluated genetic activity patterns) to balance the thermal in their prey and, based on this signal, structure and migration using partial needs of their offspring throughout modify the pressure and duration of sequences from the mitochondrial control reproduction (gravidity and egg brooding). constriction accordingly. We monitored region and mitochondrial genes cyt-b and Maternal behaviors in L. fuscus varied by pressure generated by snakes as they struck ND4 for 183 samples collected within stage within reproduction and were mediated and constricted warm cadaveric rats northern Argentina. A group of landscape by interindividual variation in body size and instrumented with a simulated heart. Snakes features and environmental variables fecundity. responded to the beating heart by including several treatments of temperature constricting longer and with greater total and precipitation were explored as potential Digital near-infrared photography pressure than when constricting rats with no drivers of observed genetic patterns. We heartbeat. When the heart was stopped as a tool in forensic snake skin found significant population structure midway through the constriction, snakes identification between most putative population abandoned constriction shortly after the comparisons and bidirectional but heartbeat ceased. Furthermore, snakes naive Baker, B.W., Reinholz, A.D., Espinoza, asymmetric migration in several cases. to live prey also responded to the simulated E.O. (2012). The Herpetological Journal

heart, suggesting that this behaviour is at 22(2), 79-82 least partly innate. Temporal and spatial complexity of maternal Shortened abstract — This project demonstrates that near-infrared (NIR) © Scott Boback thermoregulation in imaging with an alternate light source (ALS) tropical pythons and digital photography are useful tools for revealing and documenting original dorsal Stahlschmidt, Z.R., 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 Page 6

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pattern was easily photographed using a Tree hollows are of conservation venomous snakes inhabiting most of Fujifilm Finepix IS-Pro digital camera continental Australia and a small area of New importance for a Near-Threatened designed specifically for forensic ultraviolet Guinea. They have been relatively well python species (UV) and infrared (IR) photography. These studied in Australia, but little is known about methods have great potential for species the New Guinea population, even though it is Bryant, G.L., Dundas, S.J. and Fleming, identification based on highly modified harvested and exported from Indonesia for P.A. (2012). Journal of Zoology 286 (1), animal products (such as dyed snake the international pet trade. In total, 281 leather), thus contributing to CITES 81-92 locality records were compiled for two enforcement efforts. distinct populations south of latitude 7°S in Shortened abstract — Understanding Papua New Guinea and the Indonesian microhabitat requirements for species Ecological attributes and trade of province of Papua. Traders in Papua vulnerable to anthropogenic threats can the white-lipped pythons (Genus collected 274 carpet pythons (most of which provide important information to were recently hatched neonates) for the pet Leiopython) in Indonesian New conservation managers. This may be trade. Data from a sample of 174 individuals Guinea particularly true for ectotherms, where revealed little sexual dimorphism in any behaviour and physiology (e.g. digestion, traits, although males appear to grow larger Natusch, D.J.D. and Lyons, J.A. (2012). responsiveness and activity patterns) are than females despite females maturing at Australian Journal of Zoology 59(5), strongly influenced by thermal conditions of greater lengths. Fecundity was high (average 339-343 microhabitat retreat sites. Retreat sites 17 eggs) and reproduction was highly selected by southwest carpet pythons seasonal, with hatching in December and Shortened abstract — White-lipped pythons (Morelia spilota imbricata) were identified January. (WLPs) (Genus Leiopython) have been through radio tracking 46 pythons over 3 2011 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 Conservation implications of rapid 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 7429.2011.00842.x most commonly traded species, L. albertisii 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. 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 on lizards. Reproduction appears to be python (Morelia spilota) in regius,Python sebae,Python reticulatus,Python seasonal with oviposition and hatching molurus,Python curtus species complex) from Indonesia occurring in the summer months between 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. countries and 164,000 in Indonesia. Trade Shortened abstract — Carpet pythons albertisii. intensity tripled in Indonesia over the last (Morelia spilota) are medium-sized non- Page 7

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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. on wild populations in the two main Species Delimitation in the exporting continents. Wildlife through breeding farms: Continental Forms of the Illegal harvest, population declines Genus Epicrates (Serpentes, Unexpected shallow genetic and a means of regulating the Boidae) Integrating divergence in Turks Island Boas trade of the green python (Morelia Phylogenetics and Environmental (Epicrates c. chrysogaster) viridis) from Indonesia Niche Models reveals single evolutionarily

significant unit for conservation 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. Reynolds, R.G., Gerber, G.P. and 3081 (2011). PLoS ONE 6(9): e22199. Fitzpatrick (2011). Herpetologica 67, doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0022199 477-486 Shortened abstract — Wildlife breeding farms have been promoted to aid biodiversity Shortened abstract — Until recently, the Shortened abstract — The Turks Island Boa conservation by alleviating the pressure of genus Epicrates (Boidae) presented only one (Epicrates c. chrysogaster) is endemic to the harvest on wild populations. There is, continental species, Epicrates cenchria, Turks and Caicos Islands and is currently however, growing concern that many distributed in Central and South America, known from only 11 islands. The subspecies breeding farms are being used to launder but after a taxonomic revision using has likely been extirpated from several illegally caught wildlife. Surveys of wildlife morphologic characters five species were islands in its historic range, and all traders in the Indonesian provinces of recognized: E. cenchria, E. crassus, E. maurus, remaining populations are threatened with Maluku, West Papua and Papua were E. assisi, and E. alvarezi. We analyzed two extirpation owing to habitat loss, introduced conducted between August 2009 and April independent data sets, environmental niche feral predators, malicious killing, and vehicle 2011 to assess the trade of the green python models and phylogeny based on molecular strikes. To assist conservation efforts, we (Morelia viridis), the species currently information, to explore species delimitation exported in the largest in the continental species of this genus. Our numbers from Indonesia results indicated that the environmental declared as captive-bred. In requirements of the species are different; total, 4227 illegally collected therefore there are not evidences of wild green pythons were ecological interchangeability among them. recorded during surveys and There is a clear correlation between species high levels of harvest were distributions and the major biogeographic found to have depleted and regions of Central and South America. Their skewed the demographics of overall distribution reveals that allopatry or some island populations. parapatry is the general pattern. These Snakes were traced from their evidences suggest that habitat isolation point of capture to breeding prevents or limits gene exchange among © Jessica Lyons farms in Jakarta where they them.

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serpens Vol. 1 I No. 1 + “This meticulously researched BOOK and profusely illustrated work REVIEW shines a spotlight on the 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 President, Conservation International, and Vice President, IUCN snakes in distant tropical jungles, but just native species but humans as well. Burmese pythons, which can reach

Features information on: lengths of over twenty feet and weigh Despite this widespread concern, information on pythons has been over two hundred pounds, are now • General python biology thriving in southern Florida. limited to a few scientific publications • Biology of Burmese pythons in and news coverage that varies widely in their native range These natives of Asia are commonly fact and accuracy. With Invasive Pythons • Research on pythons in the United kept as pets and presumably escaped in the United States, Michael E. Dorcas States or were released in the Everglades. and John D. Willson provide the most • History and status of introduced Pythons are now common in this region; reliable, up-to-date, and scientifically pythons in Florida widespread throughout hundreds of grounded information on invasive • Risks pythons pose in Florida and square miles, they are breeding and pythons. Filled with over two hundred elsewhere appear to be expanding their range. color photographs and fifteen figures • Methods to control python Pythons are voracious predators that and maps, the book will help general populations, and feed on a variety of native wildlife readers and the scientific community • Other boas and pythons that may including wading birds, bobcats, white- better understand these fascinating become or are already established tailed deer, and even alligators. Their animals and their troubling presence in in the United States the United States. presence has drawn dramatic media Reviews and images from Amazon.com, Inc. attention and stoked fears among the 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]

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 © R. Graham Reynolds (Epicrates c. chrysogaster) in collaboration with Glenn Gerber of the San Diego Zoo.

+ BPSG COMMITTEE

Tomás Waller Guillermo Adrián Puccio BPSG Chair BPSG Executive Officer Fundaci ón Biodiversidad, Buenos Aires, Argentina Fundaci ón Biodiversidad, Buenos Aires, Argentina

[email protected] [email protected]

Mark Auliya Jessica Lyons Red List Authority Focal Point 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.