Hubbs called me and we had another talk, its always fun to discuss this stuff with Brian. Yes, fun.
I am finally getting why we have a slightly different approach to this.
I will start with Hubbs approach, he views getula as a number of separate types, cal kings, desert kings, fla kings etc. And calls individuals that are inbetween them, INTERGADES.
In our conversation it we discussed how kings got here in the first place. According to Blaney(and others) getula migrated north out of mexico and then migrated both east and west. Then up both coasts. We both accepted that as we cannot disagree with that.
So I asked, what was the habitat like when they migrated over great distances. Heck if we know, but it had to be continuous and favorable, to getula. When a species migrates they most likely were of one type. We do know that north America was a lot wetter then. We both agree that in wetter habitats, getula or dark, striped, etc. In dryer habitats, getula are lighter, banded etc. All across the country. So if that's anywhere near right, it ancestor most likely was a dark striped or patternless animal. I will bet, it did not look like splendida of today.
My opinion is, these animals with unstable patterns and colors are a result of phenotypic pressures that occur in marginal habitat. They are not products of recent intergration, but products of intermediate habitat coupled with genotypic abilities. Genotype is the genetic possibilities each animal, local holds, what is expressed is phenotype. Which is what selection pressures allow. end part 1

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