I would call it a Splendida with Holbrooki influence.
The circle back pattern is characteristic of Splendida as well as the somewhat checkered ventrals.

The speckles on the head screams Holbrooki influence to me. Splendida from the middle of its range have no yellow/white on the head. And....the massive speckling on the sides are Holbrooki-like.

Also....Depending on what locale it was collected in Texas would help.....It IS a big state you know.....LOL It looks as though it came from a South coastal region of Texas, but I am just speculating and using my own, single experiences.

But....It is still an intergrade in my book (whatever book that is) since it shows characteristic traits of both Holbrooki and Splendida...more Splendida though....
I wonder if that helped?.....LOL
John Lassiter

Here is a pair from South Texas (Nueces Co.) that are heavy on the melanism, but the offspring were not as dark....I wonder if it is some kind of ontogenetic change....Maybe not?

[ Hide Replies ]

• More on the intergrade kings.... - crimsonking, Mon Sep 19 21:08:57 2005
• RE: More on the intergrade kings.... - snakesunlimited1, Mon Sep 19 21:19:27 2005
• since opinions are free and worthless, I'll offer one... - Joe Forks, Mon Sep 19 21:38:33 2005
• RE: since opinions are free and worthless, I'll offer one... - crimsonking, Mon Sep 19 23:05:36 2005
• RE: More on the intergrade kings.... - jlassiter, Mon Sep 19 21:58:02 2005
• RE: More on the intergrade kings.... - antelope, Fri Sep 23 01:15:51 2005
• RE: More on the intergrade kings.... - antelope, Fri Sep 23 01:20:27 2005
• RE: More on the intergrade kings.... - ratsnakehaven, Fri Sep 23 10:45:58 2005
• RE: More on the intergrade kings.... - antelope, Sat Sep 24 11:28:51 2005
• RE: More on the intergrade kings.... - chrish, Mon Sep 19 23:08:38 2005
• does the term intergrade have a specific implication? - Joe Forks, Tue Sep 20 09:36:13 2005
• If I may cut in... - ratsnakehaven, Tue Sep 20 10:44:50 2005
• RE: If I may cut in... - Joe Forks, Tue Sep 20 12:14:31 2005
• oh, and I left out intergrade because.... - Joe Forks, Tue Sep 20 12:29:49 2005
• a URL to Burbrinks paper... - Joe Forks, Tue Sep 20 12:38:24 2005
• RE: oh, and I left out intergrade because.... - ratsnakehaven, Tue Sep 20 13:11:03 2005
• RE: oh, and I left out intergrade because.... - ratsnakehaven, Tue Sep 20 14:05:09 2005
• RE: oh, and I left out intergrade because.... - Joe Forks, Tue Sep 20 14:35:08 2005
• RE: oh, and I left out intergrade because.... - ratsnakehaven, Tue Sep 20 15:17:59 2005
• Just a quick scan of the paper.... - chrish, Tue Sep 20 22:15:51 2005
• RE: Just a quick scan of the paper.... - ratsnakehaven, Wed Sep 21 06:52:35 2005
• well I re-read this and.... - Joe Forks, Tue Sep 20 13:15:51 2005
• RE: well I re-read this and.... - Dobry, Tue Sep 20 15:50:42 2005
• RE: well I re-read this and.... - Joe Forks, Tue Sep 20 16:36:27 2005
• RE: well I re-read this and.... - Dobry, Tue Sep 20 20:41:44 2005
• RE: does the term intergrade have a specific implication? - chrish, Tue Sep 20 22:00:05 2005
• RE: does the term intergrade have a specific implication? - antelope, Fri Sep 23 01:50:45 2005