AROD > Reptiles / Squamata / Pythonidae / Simalia
Pythons
Simalia
- Gray, 1849
Pronunciation: | SIM-ah-LEE-ah | |||||||||||||||
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Etymology: | unknown. | |||||||||||||||
Taxonomic notes: |
Several genetic studies indicate that the genus Morelia, as classically recognised, is not monophyletic (Rawlings et al. 2008; Pyron et al. 2013; Reynolds et al. 2014; Barker et al. 2015). The genus Similia Gray, 1894 has been resurrected to accommodate species within the S. amethistina complex (Reynolds et al. 2014). In Australia this includes scrub python (Simalia kinghorni) and Oenpelli python (Simalia oenpelliensis). The genus is morphologically differentiated from Morelia sensu stricto by the presence of plate-like scales on top of the head, and from other Australian python genera (Antaresia, Aspidites, and Liasis) by the presence of two large, deep thermoreceptive pits ("heat pits") on the rostral scale. |
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Notes: | ||||||||||||||||
Statistics: |
Reproductive modes:
Oviparous - 2 out of 2 Australian species Size range: Smallest Australian species: scrub python (Simalia kinghorni) at 350 cm Longest Australian species: scrub python (Simalia kinghorni) at up to 500 cm |
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Number of Australian species: | 2 | |||||||||||||||
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