I ahven't read the paper for a few years but this is essentially an outgrowth of a paper done by Burbink et al. The paper states that the obsoleta complex essentially has 3 gene pools that are roughly defined by geographic areas. All of the currently accepted ssp are included in those gene pools. Consequently, he proposes renaming the subspecies according to the geographic dividers that help define that gene pool instead of the current scheme. The first one is roughly defined by the area east of the Alleghenies. He proposes calling those Eastern Rat Snakes. The second group is defined approximately by the area between the Allegheny Mountains and the Mississippi. He proposes calling those Midland Rat Snakes. As you have surmised by now, the remaining group is then called??? (oops, I forgot the name for that group.) I may not be remembering the paper perfectly but I know I am close. Some of our more academically-minded gang will help fill in the rest of the details.

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