Hi, all. I noticed some discussion about O. temporalis on another thread ("all 3 species") and thought I'd post this update for you. My apologies if it has been posted elsewhere on this site already.
First the article, then the link.
Rare taipans found in WA's Great Victorian Desert, head to Adelaide Zoo
From: PerthNow November 10, 2010 8:52AM DEADLY FIND: Two of the world's rarest and most venomous taipans have been sent to Adelaide Zoo for medical research following their discovery at Ilkurlka in WA's Great Victoria Desert. Picture: DEC
Source: PerthNow
TWO of the world's rarest and potentially most venomous land snakes have been sent to Adelaide Zoo for medical research following their discovery at Ilkurlka in Western Australia's Great Victoria Desert.
The two western desert taipans (Oxyuranus temporalis) were found as part of a survey in October by the WA Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) and the Spinifex People, in partnership with the WA Museum, the Adelaide Zoo, and Museum Victoria.
Worldwide, just five individuals of this type of snake have ever been found. Prior to a biological survey in May 2010 at Ilkurlka only a single individual of the western desert taipan was known to science.
The inland taipan has the most toxic venom worldwide, and the coastal taipan is the third most toxic. The venom toxicity of the western desert taipan is, as yet, unknown but likely to be extremely dangerous.
The adult male and female snakes, measuring more than one metre, are being housed at the Adelaide Zoo to allow the venom of the snakes to be assessed, and determine whether a species-specific antivenom is needed.
DEC regional ecologist Dr Karl Brennan, who led the expedition, said the remote desert regions of Western Australia held an extremely rich diversity of animals and plants but there were critical gaps in knowledge.
“Surveys such as that in the Ilkurlka region are helping to fill these gaps,” Dr Brennan said.
“The fact it was unknown until a short time ago that a large and potentially deadly snake was roaming the Great Victoria Desert demonstrates our need for more information about WA’s desert fauna and flora.”
The survey also recorded 10 species of native mammals, 51 species of reptiles, 68 species of birds, one frog and more than 200 species of plants.
Dr Paul Doughty from the WA Museum said the survey also provided an opportunity to record smaller species, such as geckos and skinks, which make the Great Victoria Desert one of the most diverse places for reptiles in the world.
DNA research by Professor Steve Donellan and Dr Mark Hutchinson of the South Australian Museum confirmed the snakes were the same species as the first individual which was collected 400km to the north near the WA/Northern Territory border.
Museum Victoria reptile geneticist Dr Joanna Sumner said DNA research showed while western desert taipans were known from just two localities, they had the potential to be distributed across much of the western desert.
Peter Twigg of Pila Nguru Aboriginal Corporation, which runs the remote Ilkurlka roadhouse, said the biological survey was important in helping to document and record the extensive ethnozoological knowledge carried by the older generation.
“It is amazing to think that nearly all the recorded individuals of this species have been collected along a 2km stretch of road right outside my front door,” he said.
Adelaide Zoo herpetologist Terry Morley, who participated in the survey and will be caring for the snakes, said both animals had settled in to their new environment well.
“To ensure the snakes don’t bring any diseases into the zoo, they will be in quarantine for 12 months and then will be put on public display,” he said.
“Having these snakes housed at Adelaide Zoo is a critical step in enabling medical researchers to develop a better understanding of how patients should be treated when bitten.”
And now the link: http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/special-features/rare-taipans-found-in-was-great-victorian-desert-head-to-adelaide-zoo/story-e6frg19l-1225950876057
I did hesitate before posting this, because if you access the link you'll notice in the comments area, some members of the public have posted some pretty rednecked comments about these and snakes in general. A bit embarrassing given these people live in my town!
Anyway, hopefully we'll learn a lot more about this species now we have some live specimens in captivity.
Cheers,
Simon
Mon 22 Nov - 13:57
