What are your thoughts on mixing localities/subspecies? - Page 3

franks · 08-27-13, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by red ink

Morelia spilota sp are not distinct - DNA wise.
The difference is morphological and geographical, taxonomically Morelia spilota are considered to have sub-species. My state governing body have just recognised sub-species this year. Previously apart from Morelia spilota spilota the rest of the carpets are Morelia spilota variegata with morphological/locale differences. Diamonds are carpet by the way....

As long as there are enough people where "pure" locals can still be readily found. I think crossing carpets with carpets is a different conversation then crossing green tree pythons with carpets. We know they inhabit some of the same terrain, is there any information of crosses between the species found in the wild?

red ink · 08-27-13, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by franks

As long as there are enough people where "pure" locals can still be readily found. I think crossing carpets with carpets is a different conversation then crossing green tree pythons with carpets. We know they inhabit some of the same terrain, is there any information of crosses between the species found in the wild?

Between viridis and spilota? No

Carpets yes

Port Macquarie NSW is M. s. spilota and M. s. mcdowelli intergrade zone - commonly known as Port Mac carpets or Rainforest Diamonds (heavily debated amonst arm chair herpers)

Atherthon tablelands QLD is M. s. mcdowelli and M. s. cheynei intergrade zone -again heavily debated whether they are jungles or coastals or a mixture of the two - Tablelands carpets

Gammon Ranges SA is M. s. imbicata and M. s. metcalfei intergrade zone
Accepted as Gammon ranges carpets by enthusiaist - oddly enough with this one everybody seems to agree (separate stand alone locale - no published paper though). They are believed to be closer to imbricata than metcalfei

Cape York QLD - don't even go there taxonomically - cheynei?, variegata? and mcdowelli?

franks · 08-27-13, 10:30 PM

Thanks for the reply red ink. That is extremely interesting. I am going to read up on some of what you just posted. If you know of anywhere to point me i am all ears.

Mikoh4792 · 08-27-13, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by red ink

Atherthon tablelands QLD is M. s. mcdowelli and M. s. cheynei intergrade zone -again heavily debated whether they are jungles or coastals or a mixture of the two - Tablelands carpets

Interesting. I was reading about atherthon tablelands in a book and it says that jungle carpets that come from this area are usually the monsters that get to 8 feet. Maybe it has something to do with coastal genes.

red ink · 08-27-13, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mikoh4792

Interesting. I was reading about atherthon tablelands in a book and it says that jungle carpets that come from this area are usually the monsters that get to 8 feet. Maybe it has something to do with coastal genes.

My female jungle is a tablelands jungle... she's nudging 5 1/2 - 6 foot at just under three years old

red ink · 08-27-13, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by franks

Thanks for the reply red ink. That is extremely interesting. I am going to read up on some of what you just posted. If you know of anywhere to point me i am all ears.

Search the Oz forums mate... you find pics and info on them.

Dr. Simon Stone wrote up his findings on the Gammon ranges carpets on the Southern Cross Reptiles website.