Halmahera Python

Simalia tracyae, the Halmahera python, is a species of python found only on the Indonesian island of Halmahera. It belongs to the family Pythonidae and the genus Simalia. This snake was previously believed to have belonged to the Simalia 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, a herpetologist and 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 species Morelia tracyae was named for David G. Barker's wife, Tracy M. Barker, who is also a herpetologist specialized in pythons.

In 2014, a phylogenetic analysis of Pythonidae based on a combined analysis of eight nuclear DNA loci and three mitochondrial DNA regions concluded the Halmahera python belonged in genus Simalia with six other species.

Description

Simalia tracyae is a large species of python, and can range anywhere from 2.5 to 4 m (8.2 to 13.1 ft) in length. 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 mucosa. 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. Simalia tracyae is also marked by two or three pairs of enlarged parietal scales on either side of its head.