Python kyaiktiyo

Taxonomy

Assessment Information

Geographic Range

Population

Habitat and Ecology

Threats

Conservation Actions

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Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family
ANIMALIA	CHORDATA	REPTILIA	SQUAMATA	PYTHONIDAE

Scientific Name:	Python kyaiktiyo
Species Authority:	Zug, Gotte & Jacobs, 2011
Taxonomic Notes:	This very recently-described snake is a member of the Python curtus species complex (with P. curtus, P. brongersmai, and P. breitensteini), and was briefly considered to represent a disjunct record of P. brongersmai (Zug et al. 2011).

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:	Vulnerable D2 ver 3.1
Year Published:	2012
Assessor/s:	Wogan, G. & Chan-Ard, T.
Reviewer/s:	Auliya, M. & Bowles, P.
Contributor/s:
Justification: The species is known only from the holotype specimen from Kyaiktiyo Wildlife Sanctuary at Yetagon Myaung, in Myanmar. It was collected in 2003 and has not been found again despite repeated surveys. Very little is known about its ecology, full distribution, use and threats, thus further research is recommended especially in uses and intensity of trade for this species. Python species are heavily traded, mainly for skin and used by people for food and medicine but also for the illegal pet trade so it is very likely this species is either presently used for these purposes or is at immediate future risk from these activities. Due to its restricted range (only known from one site) and the very likely threat of trade and use this species is listed as Vulnerable under criterion D2.

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	The species is known only from the holotype, from Kyaiktiyo Wildlife Sanctuary at Yetagon Myaung, along the western face of the Tenghyo Range, Mon State, Myanmar (Zug et al. 2011).
Countries:	Native: Myanmar
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	The species is known only from the holotype female, which was collected in 2003 (Zug et al. 2011). No information is available on its population, and despite repeated surveys in the area the species has not been recorded again (G. Wogan pers. comm. August 2011).
Population Trend:	Unknown

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	The known specimen was found in a small dry streambed in an area of low secondary scrub near a small betel palm plantation, at approximately 390 m elevation (Zug et al. 2011). Six flexibly shelled eggs were contained in her oviducts (Zug et al. 2011).
Systems:	Terrestrial

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	This species may be threatened in the future by harvesting for food, leather, and traditional medicine purposes. Given the value of pythons in the international pet trade, and the beauty and rarity of this newly described species, it is very likely to be in high demand for the international pet trade. The species appears to be tolerant of some forest disturbance based on the locality of the holotype (and only known) specimen.

Major Threat(s):

This species may be threatened in the future by harvesting for food, leather, and traditional medicine purposes. Given the value of pythons in the international pet trade, and the beauty and rarity of this newly described species, it is very likely to be in high demand for the international pet trade. The species appears to be tolerant of some forest disturbance based on the locality of the holotype (and only known) specimen.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	The species occurs in Kyaiktyiyo Wildlife Sanctuary, Mon State, Myanmar (Zug et al. 2011). As with all pythons (except the Indian Python Python molurus), the species is listed on CITES Appendix II. Proactive efforts should be made immediately to curb possible exploitation for the international pet trade, which can have a devastating effect on newly-described, charismatic, rare species of herpetofauna (Stuart et al. 2006). Exporting snakes from Myanmar is forbidden so any international trade in this species would be through illegal means. Research is needed to obtain further records of this snake, to clarify its distribution, population status, natural history and to identify whether it is exposed to any other threats.

Conservation Actions:

The species occurs in Kyaiktyiyo Wildlife Sanctuary, Mon State, Myanmar (Zug et al. 2011). As with all pythons (except the Indian Python Python molurus), the species is listed on CITES Appendix II. Proactive efforts should be made immediately to curb possible exploitation for the international pet trade, which can have a devastating effect on newly-described, charismatic, rare species of herpetofauna (Stuart et al. 2006). Exporting snakes from Myanmar is forbidden so any international trade in this species would be through illegal means. Research is needed to obtain further records of this snake, to clarify its distribution, population status, natural history and to identify whether it is exposed to any other threats.

Citation:	Wogan, G. & Chan-Ard, T. 2012. Python kyaiktiyo. In: IUCN 2012. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 23 May 2013.
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