I think when we are discussing color and pattern, relic is way to far back. Something more accurate would be successful genotypes. That is, each population has a range of color and patterns that have been successful under certain conditions and they surface from time to time. If conditions favor them, they are phenotypic for as long as they are favored.



Such species are kingsnakes have shown a high degree of polymorphism. Thayeri in particular has expressed a huge range of colors and patterns.



They also exsist in an area with a range of rock types, not like Mex mex, which is primarily limestone.



I won't argue the merits or lack of merits of species, subspecies, but its clear, Thayeri is very closely related to mex mex. But they clearly occur in a different habitat type.



i think Joe Forks would agree with this, Thayeri are not consistant enough to be considers one kind of snake. Instead that area is a meeting place for mex mex from the south, Alterna types from the north and milksnakes from lower to mid elevation. More or less a melting pot.



Whenever this type of discussion occurs, there is but one answer, in the field, these animals need more work.



In captivity, there are gene lines from all over that area, mixed up and called one.



So here you base your understanding on what comes out of your eggs, but you really have no idea if your original gene pools were the same, or many say, local specific.



From what I know, what you have in captivity is not local specific and with thayeri, it may me far more important then with other less variable species. Dang I hope this makes sense. Cheers

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