>>I don't think there is any question, but really what it is, is north and south migrations and die offs. We have populations which thrive, expand, connect with others, separate, evolve, reconnect, die off, expand, etc ad naseum. Obviously not limited to north / south, but it's easy to link these species and follow the migration patterns. Throw in geography and it easily explains what is going with thayeri, and even the evolution of blairi / alterna (which IMO are not safe from "conservation genetics".
>>
>>I think the ruthie theory (or common ancestor) is likely.

Cool...Even great info, theories and fact came out of this thread....

I'm glad we have some similar views Joe....One of these days we'll finally get to meet....LOL
I enjoyed your post a while back depicting how geneflow migrates through the valleys and is isolated by the higher elevations (peaks)......If you overlay a range map over a topographical map IT DOES make tons of sense....

As for L. alterna....I always thought the blairs phase was the MSP of alterna and the alterna phase the leonis......Very similar snakes in other ways as well.....
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John Lassiter
Poor planning and procrastination on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part...
www.coastalbendcaptivebreeding.com

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