Posted by:
RSNewton
at Sat Aug 2 12:17:02 2003 [ Email Message ] [ Show All Posts by RSNewton ]
L. g. nigritis may well be a population of L. g. splendida that tends towards melanism. But if this tendency is confined within a geographic area where all or even most individuals exhibit this tendency, then this population should be considered a valid subspecies regardless of DNA makeup. If on the other hand, the black phase is sporadically distributed and may turn up in any splendida population, then it does not deserve subspecific recognition. Think of the black phase of the whipsnake Masticophis flagellum and the black and white phase of the long nosed snake Rhinocheilus lecontei. These color phases are not considered valid subspecies because they can turn up in any number of populations that contain mostly animals with more typical coloration.
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RE: Mexican Black Kingsnake is.... - RSNewton, Sat Aug 2 12:17:02 2003