Species Oxyuranus microlepidotus (McCoy, 1879)
Fierce Snake, Western Taipan
- Diemenia microlepidota McCoy, F. 1879. Small-scaled brown snake. Prodromus of the Zoology of Victoria 3: 12-13 [12, pl. 23 figs 2-3].
Type data:
Lectotype NMV D12354, junction of Murray and Darling Rivers, VIC.Subsequent designation references:
Coventry, A.J. 1970. Reptile and amphibian type specimens housed in the National Museum of Victoria. Memoirs of the National Museum of Victoria, Melbourne 31: 115-124. - Diemenia ferox Macleay, W. 1882. Description of two new species of snakes. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales 6: 811-813 [812].
Type data:
Holotype MMUS (presumed lost), Fort Bourke, NSW.
Taxonomic Decision for Synonymy
- Cogger, H.G., in Cogger, H.G., Cameron, E.E. & Cogger, H.M. 1983. Amphibia and Reptilia. 313 pp. in Walton, D.W. (ed.). Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Canberra : Australian Government Publishing Service Vol. 1 vi + 313 pp. [230]
Generic Combinations
- Parademansia microlepidota (McCoy, 1879).
- Oxyuranus microlepidotus (McCoy, 1879).
Distribution
States
New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia
Extra Distribution Information
Australian Endemic.
IBRA
NSW, NT, Qld, SA: Channel Country (CHC)
Ecological Descriptors
Diurnal, low shrubland, oviparous, predator, tall shrubland, terrestrial, tussock grassland.
Extra Ecological Information
General carnivore.
General References
Broad, A.J., Sutherland, S.K., Tanner, C. & Covacevich, J. 1979. Electrophoretic, enzyme, and preliminary toxicity studies of the venom of the small-scaled snake, Parademansia microlepidota (Serpentes: Elapidae), with additional data on its distribution. Memoirs of the Queensland Museum 19: 319-329 (venom, distribution)
Covacevich, J., McDowell, S.B., Tanner, C. & Mengden, G.A. 1981. The relationship of the taipan, Oxyuranus scutellatus, and the small-scaled snake, Oxyuranus microlepidotus (Serpentes: Elapidae). pp. 160-168 in Banks, C.B. & Martin, A.A. (eds). Proceedings of the Melbourne Herpetological Symposium, 1980. Melbourne : Zoological Board of Victoria pp. 44-54. (taxonomy)
Fohlman, J. 1979. Comparison of two highly toxic Australian snake venoms: the taipan (Oxyuranus scutellatus) and the fierce snake (Parademansia microlepidotus). Toxicon 17: 170-172 (venom)
Mirtschin, P. 1981. South Australian records of the inland taipan (Oxyuranus microlepidotus McCoy, 1879). Herpetofauna 13: 20-23 (distribution)
Common Name References
CAVS 2006. Census of Australian Vertebrate Species. Australian Biological Resources Study. (Fierce Snake)
Clayton, M., Wombey, J.C., Mason, I.J., Chesser, R.T. & Wells, A. 2006. CSIRO List of Australian Vertebrates: A Reference with Conservation Status. Melbourne : CSIRO Publishing iv 162 pp. [45] (Western Taipan)
History of changes
| Published | As part of group | Action Date | Action Type | Compiler(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 07-Feb-2024 | 26-Aug-2013 | MODIFIED | ||
| 08-Mar-2011 | 02-May-2011 | MODIFIED | ||
| 12-Feb-2010 | (import) |