>>John,

>>

>>Based on my observations I don't believe this is necessarily true. Those that are intergradient with holbrooki (Fulton, Hickman and Carlisle counties for example) are completely different than those that simply retain vestiges of the juvenile pattern. Those that are truly intergradient not only have cross bars, but speckling between the bars as well. Those from farther east, primarily in lowland populations, often have cross bars or a chain pattern, but not speckling. I believe this is simply variation within this subspecies and nothing more. There are populations of nigra that are perhaps 200 miles distant from the accepted intergrade zone that display these characteristics.

>>

>>Phil





Thanks for that information Phil.....I was just busting that paper again and not you.....lol



It seems all getula subspecies (or common kingsnake species per Burbrink) are polymorphic within their range....



What is your thought on sympatric speciation?



I, too live in an intergrade zone between Splendida and Holbrooki.....I do believe in intergradation between subs exists but do not believe the getula in my area are all L. holbrooki like Burbrink suggests......polymorphism is one thing but soon the lab rats will find out that all lampropeltis have a single common ancestral snake....

Maybe there is a reason we have black and white banded kings on each coast and a bunch of speckled to solid black ones in the middle........

If only we could take this technology back in time.....lol
-----
John Lassiter

Poor planning and procrastination on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part...

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