Candoia bibroni
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Boidae
Genus: Candoia
Species:
C. bibroni
Binomial name
Candoia bibroni
Synonyms[2]
  • Enygrus Bibroni
    A.M.C. Duméril & Bibron, 1844
  • Enygrus Bibroni
    — Jacquinot & Guichenot
    in Hombron & Jacquinot, 1853
  • Enygrus Bibronii
    — Günther, 1858
  • Enygrus bibronii
    — Boulenger, 1893
  • Enygrus bibroni bibroni
    — Sternfeld, 1920
  • Candoia bibroni
    — Frazzetta, 1959
  • Candoia bibroni bibroni
    — Stimson, 1969

Candoia bibroni, commonly known as Bibron's bevel-nosed boa, Bibron's keel-scaled boa, the Pacific tree boa,[3] or the Fiji boa,[4] is a boa species endemic to Melanesia and Polynesia. Two subspecies are recognized, including the nominate subspecies described here.[3] Like all other boas, it is not venomous.

Etymology

The specific name, bibroni, is in honor of French herpetologist Gabriel Bibron.[5]

Description

C. bibroni is the largest member of the genus Candoia; adults can grow to up to 5 ft /1.5 meters in total length (including the tail). The color pattern usually consists of a pale brown, tan, or reddish-brown ground color overlaid with stripes, blotches, or spots. However, some individuals have no pattern at all.[4]

Geographic range

C. bibroni is found in Melanesia and Polynesia, including the eastern Solomon Islands (Olu Malau, Ugi, Rennell, Makira, Santa Ana, Santa Cruz, Bellona, Vanikoro and Utupua), the Banks Islands (Vanua Lava Island), Vanuatu, all three of the Loyalty Islands, the Fiji Islands (Rotuma, the Yasawa Group and the Lau Group), Western Samoa (Savaiʻi and Upolu Islands), and American Samoa (Taʻū Island).

The type locality given is "l'île Viti" (local name of Fiji Islands’ archipelago). Jacquinot and Guichenot (1853) list the type locality as "de l'archipel de Viti, Polynésie".[2]

Habitat

The preferred natural habitat of C. bibroni is forest, at altitudes from sea level to 1,600 m (5,200 ft).[1]

Feeding

C. bibroni hunts for food both on the ground and in the trees, preying on birds, lizards, and mammals, including bats.[4]

Reproduction

C. bibroni is viviparous.[6]

Subspecies

Subspecies[3] Taxon author[3] Common name Geographic range
C. b. australis (Montrouzier, 1860) Solomon Islands tree boa Solomon Islands/Tonga Island
C. b. bibroni (A.M.C. Duméril & Bibron, 1844) Pacific tree boa the South Pacific Islands

References

  1. ^ a b Allison A, Hamilton A, Tallowin O (2012). "Candoia bibroni ". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2012: https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2012.RLTS.T176188A1435600.en. Downloadedon 22 July 2021.
  2. ^ a b McDiarmid RW, Campbell JA, Touré T (1999). Snake Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference, Volume 1. Washington, District of Columbia: Herpetologists' League. 511 pp. ISBN 1-893777-00-6 (series). ISBN 1-893777-01-4 (volume).
  3. ^ a b c d "Candoia bibroni ". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 14 July 2008.
  4. ^ a b c Mehrtens JM (1987). Living Snakes of the World in Color. New York: Sterling Publishers. 480 pp. ISBN 0-8069-6460-X.
  5. ^ Beolens B, Watkins M, Grayson M (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. ISBN 978-1-4214-0135-5. (Candoia bibroni, p. 25).
  6. ^ Species Candoia bibroni at The Reptile Database www.reptile-database.org.

Further reading

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