Morelia tracyae
Encyclopedia
Morelia tracyae, more commonly known as the Halmahera python, is a species of python found only on the Indonesian island of Halmahera
. It belongs to the Pythonidae family and the Morelia genus. This snake was previously believed to have belonged to the Morelia amesthistina species; however, studies in recent years have caused scientists to distinguish between the two types of snakes, resulting in the reclassification of the Halmahera python as its own species.
David G. Barker, an avid python collector, suspected that the high level of variety of Indonesian pythons indicated the presence of multiple species. In 1995, David G. Barker and Michael B. Harvey, herpetological expert and professor at the University of Texas, conducted a study of various specimens of Indonesian snakes. By examining both live specimens and museum specimens, these scientists observed morphological
differences and phylogenetically
analyzed the snakes' molecular DNA sequences
. In its molecular sequencing, Morelia tracyae showed a 6-7% divergence in from all other scrub pythons in the surrounding area. The resultant conclusions of this study led to the identification of three new species: M. clastolepis, M. nauta, and M. tracyae.
The Halmhera python has been recognized by the scientific community as a separate species since Barker and Harvey's publication of their data in 2000.
The Morelia tracyae species was named for David G. Barker's wife, Tracy M. Barker, who is also a python enthusiast.
. One way to distinguish the sex of a Halmahera python is by noticing the snout: females have a somewhat shorter snout, which leads to the appearance of having a wider head. Morelia tracyae is also marked by two or three pairs of enlarged parietal scales on either side of its head.
The Halmahera python is marked by a distinct scale pattern; there have never been any patternless specimens observed. There are anywhere from 48-56 dark brown or black bands on the body, with the stripes reaching their darkest point on the snake’s back and lighter towards the sides. The stripes are 4-11 dorsal scales
in length, and are separated by 3-7 dorsal scale lengths. In addition to the dorsal stripes, a well-defined postocular
stripe and one to two thick black stripes around the neck are often present. The Halmahera python is unusual because of the pattern’s consistency across the species, with very little variation. This snake is also unique in that the adult snake has the same pattern as it did in adolescence; there is little to no change in design as the Halmahera python develops.
roosts.
According to local collectors, the Halmahera python feeds on fruit bats and presumably other small mammals and birds. There have also been reports by natives of Halmahera pythons carrying off large numbers of domestic chickens. Like other pythons, the Halmahera python will swallow its victims whole or defeat larger prey through constriction
. This snake is non-venomous.
and have been sighted near Galela
and Tobelo
in the north. Morelia tracyae has evolved as a separate species because of its secluded location on Halmahera.
Halmahera
Halmahera is the largest island in the Maluku Islands. It is part of the North Maluku province of Indonesia.Halmahera has a land area of 17,780 km² and a population in 1995 of 162,728...
. It belongs to the Pythonidae family and the Morelia genus. This snake was previously believed to have belonged to the Morelia amesthistina species; however, studies in recent years have caused scientists to distinguish between the two types of snakes, resulting in the reclassification of the Halmahera python as its own species.
Taxonomy and Etymology
Until recently, Morelia tracyae was considered to be part of the species Morelia amesthistina. Previously, the scientific community believed that this species, despite the large varieties in appearance and wide range of habitat, was thought simply to have "exceptional dispersal abilities." However, more recent scientific studies have indicated Morelia amesthistina's lack of mobility between habitats, leading to the realization that this type of snake is "more prone to speciation than other pythons."David G. Barker, an avid python collector, suspected that the high level of variety of Indonesian pythons indicated the presence of multiple species. In 1995, David G. Barker and Michael B. Harvey, herpetological expert and professor at the University of Texas, conducted a study of various specimens of Indonesian snakes. By examining both live specimens and museum specimens, these scientists observed morphological
Morphology (biology)
In biology, morphology is a branch of bioscience dealing with the study of the form and structure of organisms and their specific structural features....
differences and phylogenetically
Phylogenetics
In biology, phylogenetics is the study of evolutionary relatedness among groups of organisms , which is discovered through molecular sequencing data and morphological data matrices...
analyzed the snakes' molecular DNA sequences
DNA sequencing
DNA sequencing includes several methods and technologies that are used for determining the order of the nucleotide bases—adenine, guanine, cytosine, and thymine—in a molecule of DNA....
. In its molecular sequencing, Morelia tracyae showed a 6-7% divergence in from all other scrub pythons in the surrounding area. The resultant conclusions of this study led to the identification of three new species: M. clastolepis, M. nauta, and M. tracyae.
The Halmhera python has been recognized by the scientific community as a separate species since Barker and Harvey's publication of their data in 2000.
The Morelia tracyae species was named for David G. Barker's wife, Tracy M. Barker, who is also a python enthusiast.
Description
Morelia tracyae is one of the largest species of python, and can range anywhere from 2.5 meters to 4 m in length (8–13 ft). It is described as “heavy-bodied,” and more closely resembles the boa than any other species of python. The Halmahera python is recognized by its distinct red irises, as compared to the typical brown or gold irises of other closely related species. Other facial features include its rounded snout, black tongue, and pale blueish grey oral mucosaOral mucosa
The oral mucosa is the mucous membrane epithelium of the mouth. It can be divided into three categories.*Masticatory mucosa, para-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium, found on the dorsum of the tongue, hard palate and attached gingiva....
. One way to distinguish the sex of a Halmahera python is by noticing the snout: females have a somewhat shorter snout, which leads to the appearance of having a wider head. Morelia tracyae is also marked by two or three pairs of enlarged parietal scales on either side of its head.
The Halmahera python is marked by a distinct scale pattern; there have never been any patternless specimens observed. There are anywhere from 48-56 dark brown or black bands on the body, with the stripes reaching their darkest point on the snake’s back and lighter towards the sides. The stripes are 4-11 dorsal scales
Dorsal scales
In snakes, the dorsal scales are the longitudinal series of plates that encircle the body, but do not include the ventral scales.When counting dorsal scales, numbers are often given for three points along the body, for example 19:21:17...
in length, and are separated by 3-7 dorsal scale lengths. In addition to the dorsal stripes, a well-defined postocular
Ocular scales
In scaled reptiles, the ocular scales are those forming the margin of the eye. The name originates from the term oculus which is Latin for "eye" and, in the broadest sense, refers to a scale associated with the eye...
stripe and one to two thick black stripes around the neck are often present. The Halmahera python is unusual because of the pattern’s consistency across the species, with very little variation. This snake is also unique in that the adult snake has the same pattern as it did in adolescence; there is little to no change in design as the Halmahera python develops.
Coloration
The Halmahera python changes color over a short period of time; however, scientists are unable to determine what circumstances cause the color change. At the darker end of the color spectrum, morelia tracyae could be medium brown, orangish-brown, or russet. These colors could change to be a greenish-straw, grey-tan, yellowish-tan, or tan on the lighter end of the spectrum. Though the base color of the snake changes, the pattern of thick dorsal stripes remains the same. The stripes could be dark brown, charcoal-brown, brownish black, charcoal, or black at the dark end of the color continuum and become a medium greenish brown or medium reddish brown as the python shifts to the lighter end of the continuum. However, if a stripe is pure black it will remain black despite any other color changes. Though no newly-hatched Halmahera pythons have been observed, Barker and Harvey of the 2000 python study “would predict that hatchlings are very dark reddish-brown in color.”Behavior
Though scrub pythons in general are found above the ground in canopies, locals of Halmahera have most often encountered Morelia tracyae crawling on the ground. However, this species certainly has the ability to travel through the trees as it is often found near fruit batMegabat
Megabats constitute the suborder Megachiroptera, family Pteropodidae of the order Chiroptera . They are also called fruit bats, old world fruit bats, or flying foxes.-Description:...
roosts.
According to local collectors, the Halmahera python feeds on fruit bats and presumably other small mammals and birds. There have also been reports by natives of Halmahera pythons carrying off large numbers of domestic chickens. Like other pythons, the Halmahera python will swallow its victims whole or defeat larger prey through constriction
Constriction
Constriction is a method used by various snake species to kill their prey. Although some species of venomous and mildly-venomous snakes do use constriction to subdue their prey, most snakes which use constriction lack venom. The snake initially strikes at its prey and holds on, pulling the prey...
. This snake is non-venomous.
Geographic Range
Morelia tracyae is only found in the northwestern area of Halmahera, Indonesia. Specimens have been seen as far south as JailoloJailolo
Jailolo is a volcanic complex on a peninsula , west of Halmahera island. It has lava flows on the eastern flank, small caldera at the west and southwest of the mountain, hot springs along the northwest coast of the caldera. Small volcanic island was formed by the Kailupa cone, off the southern...
and have been sighted near Galela
Galela
Galela is a small town on the eastern Indonesian island of Halmahera. It is located in the North Halmahera Regency, part of the province of North Maluku. It is connected by a palm tree lined road to Tobelo in the south. Views of Mount Tarakan can be seen from the scenic coast...
and Tobelo
Tobelo
Tobelo is a town and also a district on the eastern Indonesian island of Halmahera. It is the capital of the regency of North Halmahera, part of the province of North Maluku. The city was formalised as the capital of North Halmahera in the district elections held in 2004...
in the north. Morelia tracyae has evolved as a separate species because of its secluded location on Halmahera.