Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have been on quite a floridana kick lately. I think they're such amazing and beautiful kingsnakes. I have read many different opinions on searching through the archives since 2002 of the relatedness of the former floridana ssp. (L.g. floridana, g. brooksi, and g. goini). After consulting my old Conant field guide (from 1975) I noticed that it differentiates the South Florida form from the Eastern in having 23 scale rows at midbody, while the eastern kings (g. getula) have 21 scale rows at midbody. I am curious as to how many scale rows the Appalachicola King has at midbody. I know some beleive that this population (as well as possibly the g.getula from S. Georgia) have old shared genetics from a different time when perhaps the floridana subspecific phenotypes may have exisisted in these areas and perhaps later were left relict there and then pushed southwards due to environmental or biological factors (such as climate change, vegetational changes, natural succession etc).

I would appreciate any opinions and information fellow kingsnake members may have, especially those with experience or field research of any or all of these ssp.

Happy Herping,

Chris

1.2 Lampropeltis g. floridana (brooksi morph)
1.1 Lampropeltis g. getula (Rowan Cty, NC)
1.0 WC Lampropeltis g. splendida (Valencia Co. NM)
1.0.2 Elaphe gutatta gutatta
1.0 Elaphe guttata intermontana (Sierra Co. NM)
1.0 WC '95 Elaphe gutatta slowinski (was adult then)
2.0 Elaphe obsoleta quadrivitatta
0.1 WC '94 Elaphe obsoleta spiloides (was a very thin adult then)
1.0 Lichanura trivirgata trivirgata
1.0 Lichanura trivirgata gracia

but all kings from Florida regardless of subspecies or location can have 21 or 23 scale. Floridana tend to have 23, goini/getula tend to have 21.

The speculation that Georgia kings have goini influence is based on the fact that some selectively bred Georgia kings have wide bands like goini.

Goini were considered to have floridana influence years ago, but this is generally considered incorrect at this point.

Thanks for the information Foxturtle. It's interesting how the theories on these change over time. I need to see what genetic analysis has been done to shed more light on the inter relatedness between these different groups. I think it's just fascinating that there is so much variability.

I'll have to add a goini to my collection someday. I really like the striped ones!

Take care,
Chris