OK,

I’m confuzzed, please enlighten me. I am but a humble Naval Officer and hobbyist. I am not a biologist, herpetologist or taxonomist. However, I see the utilization of “ssp” which I use (In Drymarchon corais references), and “spp” that others use with apparent facility referencing the same subject. It appears that I may be ignorant in the correct way to abbreviate my subject.

To my way of thinking, a reference to Drymarchon corais (ssp) is a reference to the entire tree below D. c. including D. c. corais, melanarus, rubidus, errebennus, et. al. Whereas “spp” is a reference to species that takes us up the tree a notch or two...

I personally accept D. couperi in accordance with W.W.’s supposition. But then again, who am I?

Forgive my ignorance, and help me say what I mean to say when I feel the need. I am a closet wordsmith, I wish to be correct and accurate.

Thanks and Regards,
Jeff Nichols

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