Acanthophis hawkei WELLS & WELLINGTON, 1985
Can you confirm these amateur observations of Acanthophis hawkei?
Acanthophis hawkei
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| Higher Taxa | Elapidae (Hydrophiinae), Colubroidea, Caenophidia, Alethinophidia, Serpentes, Squamata (snakes) |
| Subspecies | |
| Common Names | |
| Synonym | Acanthophis hawkei WELLS & WELLINGTON 1985: 43 Acanthophis cummingi HOSER 1998 Acanthophis cummingi — WELLS 2002 Acanthophis hawkei — WELLS 2002 Acanthophis hawkei — FRY et al. 2002 Acanthophis hawkei — WÜSTER et al. 2004 Acanthophis hawkei — WALLACH et al. 2014: 4 Acanthophis hawkei — ELLIS et al. 2021 |
| Distribution | Australia (Queensland) cummingi: Australia (N Northern Territory, vicinity of Darwin) bottomi: Groote Eylandt, Gulf of Carpentaria, Northern Territory Type locality: 1.5 miles south west of Brunette Downs Station homestead, Barkly Tablelands, NT |
| Reproduction | ovovivparous |
| Types | Holotype: NTM R3677, H van Dyk, 20.iv.1977. |
| Diagnosis | Diagnosis: A large member of the Acanthophis antarcticus complex, believed confined to the blacksoil plains of the Barkly Tablelands, Northern Territory. This species is the largest of the genus Acanthophis, reaching a maximum total length of 1.2 m. It is an abundant snake, particularly in the Anthony's Lagoon area, N.T., during favourable weather. This most spectacular of the death adders feeds on small mammals and has large quantities of highly toxic venom that may have application for medical research. It was first discovered by Dr Ross K. Pengilley, a scientist carrying out wildlife survey work in the region, whilst employed by the Conservation Commission of the Northern Territory. Specimens were sent to the Northern Territory Museum in Darwin where they have remained largely unstudied. It is understood that an amateur herpetologist in Darwin has bred this species in captivity but as yet nothing has been published on this exciting event. Juveniles of this species are distinctly yellowish orange with grey and black flecking in contrast to its near relative A. lancasteri sp. nov. which tends to be more uniform brown with lighter transverse banding. Wells and Peterson, (1985 in press) provide an illustration of this species and its relatives, as well as ecological and morphological data. (Wells & Wellington 1985: 43) |
| Comment | Synonymy: “... a captive male Acanthophis (similar to and possibly A. hawkei) from near Camooweal, Queensland, mated with a female Hayes Creek, Northern Territory A. lancasteri to produce 31 healthy offspring in 1997” (HOSER 1998). This indicates that both belong to the same species. Not listed by COGGER 2000. Protein data suggest that this species may be a valid (FRY et al. 2002). A. cummingi is a questionable species. The taxonomy of Acanthophis remains largely unresolved (W. Wüster, pers. comm., and Wüster et al. 1999). Based on the nomenclature rules, the name cummingi needs to be emended to cummingae (fide WÜSTER et al. 2001). WÜSTER (pers. comm.) considers A. cummingi as synonym of A. hawkei. Venomous! |
| Etymology | Named for the Prime Minister of Australia, The Rt. Hon. Robert J. Hawke, in recognition of his part in saving the Tasmanian Wilderness. |
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