Previously I wrote:-
General consensus suggests that the northern contact zone is around Coffs Harbour.
Sorry guys, I didn't read the question properly, as I was in a rush and had a significant toddler + baby factor at the time, which I'm sure some of you will understand.
Anyway, obviously I thought the question was, where is the contact zone of
M. s. mcdowelli &
M. s. spilota.
To answer the question this time, my understanding is that the approximate northern limit of Diamonds is the Manning River (Taree).
However you guys are much better qualified to answer this question, as you're the herpers living in the area.
I've heard that in some areas you can get very Diamond looking specimens in a predominantly Intergrade population, with the occasional Carpet looking individual. From memory I think it was in the Port Macquarie area. I'll double check the source.
Having said that, there's a record of a Diamond being found at Coffs Harbour and another in the upper reaches of the Macleay River. But these are rare & isolated, so may be anomalies.
I've even read Steven Swanson write that Diamonds are found as far north as Byron Bay but I find this hard to believe.
Recently on this site a couple of members have reported seeing Diamonds in south east QLD but surely these are escapees or releases.
What do you guys reckon?
:idea: This is highly controversial, but I reckon that intergrades should be elevated to subspecies status and named
Morelia spilota intermedia.
I'm a splitter though. Some would prefer to have all the Morelia spilota rid of all subspecies altogether.
Recent DNA analysis has shown Diamonds to be distinct and when this is published we will probably see Diamonds become a seperate species as
bredli has become.
Great pics by the way guys 8)
Cheers John
