Re: Ray: Did you look at the Type of Leiopython gracilis???

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Posted by Richard Wells on March 14, 2002 at 23:15:29:

In Reply to: Re: Ray: Did you look at the Type of Leiopython gracilis??? posted by Scott Thomson on March 13, 2002 at 06:01:22:

Hello Scott,

I had a phone call from Ray Hoser last night and he confirmed that he considered the status of Leiopython gracilis [although it wasn't mentioned in the paper!]. Ray said that he contacted the museum that holds the Type and he said that they told him it was the 'brown form' of albertisi. Additionally, Ray is convinced that he is correct in recognising the larger black form as distinct, because the 'brown form' [albertisi sensu stricto] is only found on the northern part of New Guinea, while the 'black form' [hoserae] is confined to the southern part, with both species being separated by the central mountain ranges. OK maybe that is so.

I'll take his word for that at the moment, but this is not entirely the understanding I had of the distribution of the albertisi members...

Anyway, I'll look into this a little deeper, and dig up the original description of gracilis. I might also try to contact the holder of the Holotype again to verify Ray's assertion that gracilis is the 'brown form'. I find this a little peculiar because I had heard that the specimen was badly faded...will keep you posted...

Yours Curiously,

Richard Wells
: Well said Richard,

: I agree, nothing is more important than a synomy that is self explicit in its own right. It should never rely on the knowledge of the readers. They may not have access to the relevant information.

: Cheers, Scott

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: Hello Scott, : I had a phone call from Ray Hoser last night and he confirmed that he considered the status of Leiopython gracilis [although it wasn't mentioned in the paper!]. Ray said that he contacted the museum that holds the Type and he said that they told him it was the 'brown form' of albertisi. Additionally, Ray is convinced that he is correct in recognising the larger black form as distinct, because the 'brown form' [albertisi sensu stricto] is only found on the northern part of New Guinea, while the 'black form' [hoserae] is confined to the southern part, with both species being separated by the central mountain ranges. OK maybe that is so. : I'll take his word for that at the moment, but this is not entirely the understanding I had of the distribution of the albertisi members... : Anyway, I'll look into this a little deeper, and dig up the original description of gracilis. I might also try to contact the holder of the Holotype again to verify Ray's assertion that gracilis is the 'brown form'. I find this a little peculiar because I had heard that the specimen was badly faded...will keep you posted... : : Yours Curiously, : Richard Wells : : Well said Richard, : : I agree, nothing is more important than a synomy that is self explicit in its own right. It should never rely on the knowledge of the readers. They may not have access to the relevant information. : : Cheers, Scott

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