>>Wolfgang,
>>
>>The bands of Bandy bandys Vermicella are counted for the whole snake as not just for the s.v.l. This along with the number of ventrals is the way to tell apart the sympatric species within the genus.
>> eg V. multifasciata and V. intermedia
>>Regards,

Hi Scott,

If that works, then great.

However, since total bands = body bands tail bands, and since males of many snakes have relatively shorter bodies and longer tails than females, counting both separately preserves information that *may* be useful and *may* give better discrimination in *some* cases.

As to comparing it with the books, it's a matter of finding out what measure they use. Point is, you can calculate the total if you have both body and tail bands, but you can't do the reverse if you find you need them separately.

Cheers,

Wolfgang
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