In 1975 Sam McDowell synonymized Morelia with the genus Python [see J.Herp., 9 (1): 1-79] and this is the crux of the problem. Although this met with a rather mixed reaction from herpetologists at the time, the more conservative tended to support McDowell and started using the combination of Python spilota and so on. In Australia however, there was a real split between East and West. In the Eastern States, most herpetologists followed Cogger's rejection of McDowell's arrangement for the spilota complex and retained the group in the genus Morelia. However, in Western Australia, the late Glenn Storr agreed with McDowell's arrangement, and he was supported by Laurie Smith and Graeme Gow when these authors published their descriptions of new "carpet snakes" in 1981. The first description of Morelia carinata - actually first appeared as Python carinata - see Smith, Rec.W.Aust.Mus., 9: 211-226. Gow's original description of Morelia bredli - first appeared as Python bredli - see Aust. J. Herp., 1 (1): 29-34. Thus, for a while there were two opposing camps as to the generic name for the spilota complex. However, the appearance of Cogger et al (1983) - the "official" catalogue of the Australian herpetofauna [see Zool. Cat. Aust., 1: 205-206] effectively settled the issue here. From then on Cogger's placing the group in the genus Morelia was followed by most - probably more through convenience than as a result of independent critical analysis though. The only dissenting view since Cogger's Catalogue has of course been that of Wells and Wellington. However, they supported Cogger's
use of Morelia for the spilota complex, but rejected his placing of amethistinus and oenpelliensis in with the spilota complex. Instead they proposed that oenpelliensis should be placed with the amethistinus complex in a separate genus, and eventually they erected the new genera Nyctophilopython for oenpelliensis and timoriensis, and Australiasis for the
amethistinus complex - moves that have only recently begun to attract support.
The genus Morelia represents a distinct and identifiable assemblage of closely related species that conforms to a classical phylogenetic definition of a genus - i.e. a group of species that are each others closest relatives.