>>I actually have several questions about this:
>>1) What is the current classification of the Aesculapian rat snake?

Zamenis longissimus, as stated by meretseger.


>>2) Has there been an attempt to separate out different regional characteristics in this species and classify accordingly (like has been done with the Pituophis in the US) and if so can someone help enlighten me as to the differences found?

There has been no thorough DNA-based phylogeographic study. The souther Italian populations (previously known as Elaphe longissima romana) were shown to be a different species, Elaphe lineata (now Zamenis lineatus) by Lenk & Wuster (1999) (PDF file of paper available from link below).

>>3) Can someone tell me the range of the Longissima as currently classified?

Widespread central and southern Europe, north to Germany, central-northern France, extreme souther Poland, not most of Spain, east to southwestern Russia, Ukraine and Caucasus.

>>4) Is there a close relative of the Longissima in the Near East (eg. Sainai penensula) that dosn't actually classify as either the Persica or the Longissima?

Not in the Sinai area. Elaphe does not get into the Middle Eastern and N. African deserts.

Cheers,

Wolfgang
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