Population genetics and their forensic applications of the reticulated python (Malayopython reticulatus ssp.) and the Burmese Python ( Python bivittatus ssp.) involved in the commercial skin trade in Southeast Asia

Good afternoon,

On behalf of IBEC Director, we would like to invite you to attend IBEC's
Lunch Hour Talk as follows:

Date : 14 July 2014 (Monday)
Time : 12.00pm
Place : TR4, Level G, FSTS/IBEC Building, UNIMAS

Title: Population genetics and their forensic applications of the
reticulated python (Malayopython reticulatus ssp.) and the Burmese Python (
Python bivittatus ssp.) involved in the commercial skin trade in Southeast
Asia

Speaker: Dr. Mark Auliya is a postdoctorate researcher at the Helmholtz
Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ in Leipzig, Germany. Main focus is
conservation-oriented research on reptiles, involving trade issues. Member
in numerous IUCN reptile specialist groups, Red List Authority of the IUCN
Boa & Python Specialist Group. Working on the reticulated python since
1996.

Abstract:

The two largest Asian giant snakes (Malayopython reticulatus , Python
bivittatus) are traded commercially since about 1930. Between 2002 and
2012, the countries of Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam exported more than
3.8 million skins of reticulated pythons; 75% were documented as wild
captures; only Vietnam documented the export of captive-breds (25%). This
intense commercialization obviously has left its marks, thus today the
sustainability of this trade highly questioned in the international
community.
The fashion industry is aware of their responsibilities and today support
projects to trace the origin of skins within the supply chain and thus to
reduce the illegal trade to ensure a sustainable trade. As part of this
pioneer study, genetic variation of populations of both study species will
be examined, initially prioritizing populations in the major harvest
regions, i.e. West Malaysia, Sumatra, Borneo and Java, next to populations
east of the Wallace Line, including the Philippines. Results will ideally
feed into improved control mechanisms and certification of export documents
to uncover illegal trade activities (e.g. skins meant for export with
incorrectly declared origin). In addition to population genetics, the
analysis of stable isotopes [C, N] is used to distinguish wild captures
from captive bred specimens. An improved control and enforcement of the
international trade in python skins can significantly restrict the illegal
trade and thus also ensure the sustainable conservation of genetic
resources.

regards
=======================================================
Chaplin Anak Iba
Assistant Administration Officer

Institute of Biodiversity and Environmental Conservation
Level G, FSTS Building
University Malaysia Sarawak
94300 Kota Samarahan
Sarawak, Malaysia.

Tel No: 082-583502
Fax No: 082-583505