| Citation |
|
Description |
Geographic Range [top]
Range Description: This species is found in New Guinea and coastal and adjacent areas of northern Australia. Its range extends inland along large river systems, although presumably not extending to Western Australia (Cogger 2014).
Countries occurrence:
Native:
Australia (Northern Territory, Queensland); Indonesia (Papua); Papua New Guinea (Papua New Guinea (main island group))
Additional data:
? Upper elevation limit (metres): 50
Range Map: Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.
Population [top]
Population: This appears to be a common species within permanently flooded parts of its range. A study of the population dynamics of Acrochordus arafurae in northern Australia recorded over 3,400 snakes over a four-year period (Houston and Shine 1994). Using mark-recapture methods, snake densities were estimated to be greater than 400 individuals per hectare in these authors main study area (Houston and Shine 1994), a higher density than usually found for most species of snake. There is no evidence of population decline.
Current Population Trend: Stable
Additional data:
? Population severely fragmented: No
Habitat and Ecology [top]
Habitat and Ecology:
In Australia this species occurs in freshwater habitats, particularly pandanus-lined lagoons, sheltered riverbanks, and floodplains associated with major drainage systems connected to the Arafura sea (Wilson and Swan 2003), and the Gulf of Carpentaria (E. Vanderduys pers. comm. 2017). In Papua New Guinea this species occurs in slow-moving freshwater rivers, lakes and swamps, including isolated ponds, which are reached during monsoon floods, and also occasionally in brackish or inshore marine situations (O’Shea 1996). It is often associated with waterbodies with muddy bottoms.
Females of this species produce between 11 and 25 live young every two to three years. It is largely nocturnal and entirely aquatic. It feeds exclusively on fish of many species including rainbow fish (Melanotaenia spp.), Long-toms (Strongylurus kreffh), Eel-tail Catfish, Barramundi and Sleepy Cod, which it immobilises by constriction.
This species is an obligate aquatic live-bearing snake. Copulation takes place and the females store the sperm, three months after ovulation the female gives birth. Filesnakes are able to reproduce sexually as observed in the wild, but can choose to reproduce parthenogenically at certain times when needed to ensure survival of an individuals genotype (Dubach and Sajewicz 1997).
A trade-off between energy allocation to growth verses reproduction has been evident in both sexes of this species. Growth rates decrease after maturation in males, and female filesnakes grow more slowly during years when they reproduce (Houston and Shine 1994). Females are generally larger than the males. In Australia, reproduction is seasonal, with ovulation around July and parturition five or six months later (Shine et al. 1986a, 1986b).
Systems: Freshwater
Use and Trade [top]
Use and Trade: In Australia, acrochordids are important traditional food items for Aboriginal people in many areas. In Papua New Guinea, there is some very limited use of this species for food. It has been recorded that Aboriginal hunters tend to selectively harvest reproductive female snakes. This type of harvesting does not present a significant threat to subpopulations of this species (Houston and Shine 1994).
Numerous attempts have been made both by zoos and private reptile collectors to keep this species in captivity, but in most cases, they have been reluctant to feed and are prone to skin infections.
The skin of this species is used on kundu drums in the Western Province of Papua New Guinea. In Papua New Guinea such a limited use of skins for village drums is unlikely to affect local subpopulations provided they are not produced in excessive commercial numbers for export (O’Shea 1996).
Threats [top]
Major Threat(s): It is unlikely that any major threats are impacting this species. In Australia, it is seasonally subjected to hand-collecting in large numbers, with large reproductively active females being targeted (Shine et al. 1986a, 1986b). This is not likely to represent a major threat.
Conservation Actions [top]
Conservation Actions: There are no known species-specific conservation measures in place for this species. There is currently no quota or limits on numbers collected. It is likely present in a number of protected areas (e.g. Tonda protected area in Papua New Guinea, Lorentz River National Park, Papua, and Kakadu National Park, Australia).
Citation: Tallowin, O., Parker, F., OShea, M., Cogger, H., Vanderduys, E., Amey, A., Hoskin, C. & Couper, P. 2018. Acrochordus arafurae. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: e.T176764A21647516. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-1.RLTS.T176764A21647516.en. Downloaded on 11 September 2018.
Disclaimer: To make use of this information, please check the .
Feedback: If you see any errors or have any questions or suggestions on what is shown on this page, please provide us with feedback so that we can correct or extend the information provided
|
