Bluff Downs giant python: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 13:25, 28 September 2022

Revision as of 06:10, 23 January 2023

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==History and naming==

The first fossil remains of ''Liasis dubudingala'' were discovered in 1975 by Australian paleontologist [[Mike Archer (paleontologist)|Mike Archer]] in the early Pliocene sediments of the [[Allingham Formation]], [[Queensland]]. The trunk vertebra was initially assigned to the genus ''[[Morelia]]'' by Archer, but later research found sufficient evidence to assign the material to the genus ''Liasis'', with Scanlon and Mackness errectingerecting a new species for the material in 2002. The trunk vertebra discovered by Archer, QMF 9132, was chosen to be the [[holotype]], but a number of additional fossils including vertebrae, ribs, teeth and a dentary were also referred to the species.<ref name=SM01>{{Cite journal | doi = 10.1080/03115510108619232| title = A new giant python from the Pliocene Bluff Downs Local Fauna of northeastern Queensland| journal = Alcheringa: An Australasian Journal of Palaeontology| volume = 25| issue = 4| pages = 425| year = 2001| last1 = Scanlon | first1 = J. D. | last2 = MacKness | first2 = B. S. | s2cid = 85185368}}</ref>

The species name "dubudingala" is a combination of the words dubu ("ghost") and dingal ("to squeeze"), both deriving from the [[Guugu Yalandji language]]. This combination, effectively meaning "ghost squeezer", was chosen to reflect the likely constricting habits of the python.<ref name=SM01/> The [[Australian Museum]] furthermore coined the vernacular name Bluff Downs giant python.<ref name=AMW>{{cite web |url=http://lostkingdoms.com/facts/factsheet44.htm |title=Australia's Lost Kingdom: Bluff Downs Giant Python |author=<!--Not stated--> |year=2004 |website= Australian Museum|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090217125654/http://lostkingdoms.com/facts/factsheet44.htm |access-date=August 8, 2022|archive-date=2009-02-17 }}</ref>

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==Classification==

In the type description of ''Liasis dubudingala'', Scanlon and MacKnees consider the genera ''[[Antaresia]]'', ''[[Bothrochilus]]'', ''[[Leiopython]]'' and ''[[Apodora]]'' to all be synonymous with ''[[Liasis]]''. The authors subsequently diagnose the genus based on a variety of traits including the anatomy of the skull, overall proportions, scales and the anatomy of the [[hemipenis]]. Although none of the traits used to define ''Liasis [[sensu lato]]'' in this manner could be observed in the Bluff Downs giant python, the authors nevertheless assign it to the genus based on general similarities. While the high neural spine can also be found in ''[[Morelia]]'' and ''[[Python (genus)|Python]]'', the Bluff Downs giant python was found to lack several derived traits that would connect it to the afforementionedaforementioned genera. Outside of ''Morelia'' and ''Python'', high neural spines are also found in the species of ''Liasis [[sensu stricto]]'', meaning ''Liasis'' species in the strictest definition (''[[Liasis olivacea]]'' and ''[[Liasis mackloti]]''). Scanlon and MacKnees conclude that based on the available characteristics, ''Liasis dubudingala'' was likely either a sister taxon to or part of ''Liasis sensu stricto''.<ref name=SM01/>

==Paleoecology==