Has anyone any thoughts as to why a monotipical genus such as Drymarchon, should have so many subspecies? Why is this the case here, and why do we not have several different species? Do they all overlap and interbreed over bordering ssp. ranges? If so, why can't we have just one species with different 'locales'?
Just thought it was redundant to have to insert couperi into every type of cribo/indigo instead of omiting it altogether, and letting the nominant subspecies keep the name for its very own.
Any thoughts, or input would be appreciated.
Tom
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Taxonomy
tomeles
Dec 23, 2006 04:46 PM
Replies (3)
Royreptile
Dec 23, 2006 04:50 PM
Drymarchon taxonomy is under review currently and there are plans to split up the species. There is a link on indigosnakes.com that discusses this.
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Roy Blodgett
1.1 Drymarchon corais
0.1 Coluber mormon
1.0 Masticophis flagellum piceus (black phase)
0.1 Lampropeltis getula californiae (desert phase)
0.1 Candoia aspera (red phase)
0.1 Corytophanes cristatus
1.1 Pogona vitticeps (snow and red/gold)
1.0 Iguana iguana
tomeles
Dec 23, 2006 05:07 PM
Thanks Roy,
You've fully satisfied the immediate question, but being somewhat of a taxonomical slouch, I still can't understand why this type of trinomial nomenclature would've existed in the first place? I know its a big can of worms, but I'm hoping that there is an equally easy answer/response as the one you provided to the immediate question.
Scratching my head a bit,
Tom
epidemic
Dec 24, 2006 06:23 PM
As has already been indicated, systematics of the Drymarchonclan is currently under review. Also, I believe you meant corais, rather then couperi, as the primary species of the genus Drymarchon, as up until only recently, couperi was a sub-species of corais, but due to its geographical isolation and phenotypic variance, it has recently been recognized as a full species; Drymarchon couperi, while many other members of the Dry clan have been amended as sub-species of D. melanurus due primarily to range overlap and phenotypic similarities.
Also, D. corais is now recognized as a single species, with no sub-species amendments, again due to geographical isolation and phenotypic differences. You may wish to review teh work of Dr. Wolfgang Wuster, just Google "Indigo Systematics Page" as you will find a great deal of information to this regard there...
Best regards,
Jeff
Best regards,
Jeff Snodgres
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Jeff Snodgres
University of Arkansas
snodgresjeffreys@uams.edu
501.603.1947
