I don't automatically accept changes in taxonomy. I do tend to be kinda scientific, but I don't think changes in nomenclature should be made unless it makes relationships more clear. Although I welcomed Pantherophis at first, one of the problems is that the genus leaves out flavirufa, which I can't understand. Also, there's the fact that the American ratsnakes are very closely related to the Eurasian ratsnakes and we know a Eurasian rat is the ancestor. How do you show that connectedness if not by being in the same genus? The question is, "By recognizing Pantherophis, are we making relationships among the ratsnakes more clear?" I think that remains to be seen. I tend to stick with the common names for the most part when the scientific names are too argumentative. Just thought I'd throw this idea out there in case anyone's interested.



Later....TC.



PS: I actually think we need more studies to clear things up, show more genetic comparisons, and clarify the relationships better. I agree this will probably never end as it's part of the system

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