Posted by:
dustyrhoads
at Mon Oct 8 17:19:20 2007 [ Email Message ] [ Show All Posts by dustyrhoads ]
>>I recently read that all Pantherophis have been been moved to Pituophis. Have Trans Pecos Rat snakes (Bogertophis) been moved into the Pituophis group as well?
>>
If so, that was just a proposal. I think a lot of people, especially in the pet industry, don't understand that a published proposal doesn't set anything in stone. If it is generally accepted, the systematists, taxonomists, museum curators, and others will start to accept and make the change. If it is not accepted, then you will not see much change in literature over the next few years. (And it does take several years, at least, for you to start to see taxonomic revision, in general, even if the acceptance of the proposed name revision is near unanimous.)
Just as an example, Schulz' monograph of Elaphe book, which is pretty much known as the most complete ratsnake book out there, still recognizes Bogertophis as Elaphe. Though, just about every other piece of recent literature doesn't recognize them in Elaphe anymore. However, they are pretty much accepted as Bogertophis in most circles, professional or otherwise.
And keep in mind, that though there are a LOT of snake keepers and breeders (who are largely not scientists) who "recognize" NA Elaphe as Pantherophis, the majority of systematists, taxonomists, and curators still recognize them as Elaphe and not Pantherophis. In other words, they haven't accepted the Patherophis proposal.
DR
Suboc.com
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Just a proposal - dustyrhoads, Mon Oct 8 17:19:20 2007