Annotated checklist of the recent and extinct pythons (Serpentes, Pythonidae), with notes on nomenclature, taxonomy, and distribution
Author
Schleip, Wulf D.
Author
O'Shea, Mark
text
ZooKeys
2010
66
29
80
http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.66.683
journal article
http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.66.683
1313-2970-66-29
Morelia viridis (Schlegel, 1872)
Synonyms:
Chondropython viridis
(Schlegel) -
Hoser 2000
(part)
Chondropython viridis viridis
(Schlegel) -
Hoser 2004
(part)
Chondropython viridis shireenae
Hoser, 2004
Morelia viridis
(Schlegel) -
Henderson and Powell 2007
Distribution:
see
Wilson and Heinsohn (2007)
Remarks:
Rawlings and Donnellan (2003)
found molecular evidence for cryptic diversity within
Morelia viridis
, resulting in two genetically distinct races. The type locality for
Morelia viridis
is Aru Island, which applies to the "southern lineage",
including
Australian specimens (
Rawlings and Donnellan 2003
) (also see
Chondropython azureus
). However,
Rawlings and Donnellan (2003: 42)
noted that
"(...
) the east/west limits of the distribution of the two lineages may not necessarily be at the extreme ends of the central cordillera or the island", and hence, there may be even more lineages present. Finally, due to the absence of molecular genetic data from the holotype, the type locality Aru Island cannot definitely be confirmed.