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Taxonomy &
Species Accounts
 

First description
Genus Leiopython
Taxonomic history

L. albertisii
L. hoserae
L. bennettorum
L. fredparkeri
L. huonensis
L. biakensis

The Genus Leiopython Hubrecht 1879

  

Only one year after the introduction as Liasis albertisii by Peters and Doria (see First description), the Dutch zoologist Hubrecht (1853-1915) examined another specimen from the Beccari collection. This specimen was collected at Salawati Island, Indonesia. Obviously unaware of the prior description of Liasis albertisii, Hubrecht created the new monotypic genus Leiopython and placed the only specimen examined there as Leiopython gracilis (holotype: Leiopython gracilis, coll. # RMNH 4796). According to Hubrecht, this new genus was meant to be an intermediate between the genera Liasis Gray 1842 and Nardoa Gray 1842 [the generic name Nardoa was preoccupied for a genus of starfish: Nardoa Gray 1840]. 

Hubrecht states:

"It differs from Nardoa in having pits not only on the inferior labials but on the rostal and upper labial plates as well, whereas it approaches this genus by the number and disposition of the shields on the head." (Hubrecht 1879:14)

and continued describing the new genus Leiopython as follows:

"Nostrils lateral in the middle of the nasal plate, followed by a groove which extends backwards and downwards. Shields on the head extending beyond the eyes; no prefrontals; the number of frenals [=loreals] and preoculars considerably reduced; pits on the rostal, the upper and lower labials; scales short, smooth, rhombic." (Hubrecht, 1879:14-15)


The species Leiopython gracilis:

“The number of shields on the top of the head is reduced to eleven: two small internasals, two frontonasals about thrice as large as the foregoing, one frontal, twl suboculars, two larger anterior and two smaller posterior parietals with a few smaller scales enclosed between the latter two pairs. The nasal plates are rather elongated; there is only one renal [=loreal] and one preocular on either side. Three or four postoculars. Rostal plate with two well marked pits; fourtheen upper labials, the two foremost of which are distinctly pitted; sixteen lower labials, the seven last but three of which are deeply pitted.

Dorsal surface of the head of RMNH4796 Right lateral view of the head of RMNH4796  
Dorsal surface and right lateral view of the head of the head Leiopython gracilis Hubrecht 1879

There are 284 ventral shields, 79 subcaudals divided into two along the median line and 49 to 51 longitudinal rows of scales. Scales short and smooth, more or less polygonal towards the tail. The colour (in spirit) of the back is rather light violet brown with a well marked iridescence, and a uniform yellowish white on the belly and chin. The top of the head is much darker than the back, although uniform as well. There is a very small white spot behind the eye; the upper and lower labials have their anterior half dark and their posterior half light coloured which gives a characteristic expression to the mouth.The only specimen in the Leyden Museum was found in Salawatti, as stated above; it measures 102.5 cm, of which the head occupies 3.5 cm, the tail 14 cm." (Hubrecht, 1879:15)

                  RMNH4796 total view
Holotype of Leiopython gracilisHubrecht 1879, RMNH 4796

  



Cited  
HUBRECHT, A. A. W. 1879. Notes III. On a new genus and species of Pythonidae from Salawatti. Notes from the Leyden Museum 14–15.
  
   

 
 

 

 
 
     

 

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