Pseudechis

Pseudechis
type species Pseudechis porphyriacus, the red-bellied black snake
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Elapidae
Subfamily: Hydrophiinae
Genus: Pseudechis
Wagler, 1830
Type species
Coluber porphyriacus Shaw, 1794
Species

At least nine, see text

Phylogenetic tree of species within Pseudechis. The NT dwarf form is an undescribed species. After Maddock et al. 2017.[1]

Pseudechis is a genus of venomous snakes in the family Elapidae. It contains the group of elapid species commonly referred to as the black snakes. Species of Pseudechis are found in every Australian state with the exception of Tasmania, and some species are found in Papua New Guinea. They inhabit a variety of habitat types, from arid areas to swampland. All species are dangerous (Pseudechis signifying "like a viper", Greek echis) and can inflict a potentially lethal bite. Most snakes in this genus reach about 2 m (6.6 ft) in total length (including tail), and vary in colour. Some species are brown, whereas others are black. The most recognisable and widespread species in the genus are the red-bellied black snake (P. porphyriacus) and the mulga snake (king brown) (P. australis). These snakes feed on lizards, frogs, birds, small mammals, and even other snakes. All species of Pseudechis lay eggs with the exception of the red-bellied black snake P. porphyriacus which is viviparous. The genus Pailsus is a synonym of Pseudechis, and more work is needed to understand species limits among the smaller species of the group.[2][3][4][5][6][7]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference Maddock2017 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference Horner2012 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference Swan1995 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference NRDBsp was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference Kuch2005 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference Wuster2005 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ Cite error: The named reference Wuster1999 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).