Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm curious if anyone else has had a chance to read the article on Lampropeltis elapsoides in the IRFC journal, Reptiles and Amphibians. The paper is authored by Harry W. Greene, et. al, which is never a bad thing. Its focus is on the dietary specialization of L. elapsoides, and differences between it and L. t. syspila, even where the two are sympatric (=overlap without interbreeding). Anyway, it’s a good read for those interested, and almost seems to be set up as a “launching pad” for additional publications on the subject.

For anyone interested in the paper which elevated elapsoides to species status separate from triangulum, here’s a link to the .pdf: L. elapsoides. Based on discussions had and reviews read, it seems that the scientific community at large is pretty accepting of the proposals put forth in the paper (putting Stilosoma extenuatum in Lampropeltis and elevating elapsoides to species status), though not as accepting of the authors’ placement of L. elapsoides as sister to [mexicana plus ruthveni] plus [pyromelana plus zonata] clade, while alterna sits sister to the triangulum plus [getula plus extenuatum] clade. Previous studies have reliably shown alterna to be well nested in the mexicana group. Essentially, it appears that while the data are correct, some of the inferences made by the authors are incorrect or lacking sufficient support. Regardless, it's really interesting stuff!

-Cole

Here’s a photo make this less boring:
L. t. multistrata – Carbon Co., MT (photo by Jose Ole)

Is the article by Greene available online? I read the other one you mentioned on the cnah.org website a while back, interesting stuff...

Nate

I haven't seen it on-line, but that doesn't mean it isn't. You might try is faculty web page.

-Cole

>>I haven't seen it on-line, but that doesn't mean it isn't. You might try is faculty web page.
>>
>>-Cole

Or you can join the IRCF and this issue will be shipped to you. IRCF is a great organization with a wonderful journal. Kingsnake has been a long supporter of them.
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Cindy Steinle
PHFaust
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Well, it's only 25 bucks a year and it's for a good cause, so I just went ahead and signed up for two. Greene has written a few other articles on milksnake taxonomy and coral snake mimicry, old stuff from 30 years ago, so I may end up dropping him a line anyway to see if he has PDFs of those kicking around.

Thanks,
Nate

>>Well, it's only 25 bucks a year and it's for a good cause, so I just went ahead and signed up for two. Greene has written a few other articles on milksnake taxonomy and coral snake mimicry, old stuff from 30 years ago, so I may end up dropping him a line anyway to see if he has PDFs of those kicking around.
>>
>>Thanks,
>>Nate

YAY!!! Nate, if you go to daytona find me and I will buy you a beer!

IRCF is a great cause and as a non-profit they operate at such a low margin it is amazing. Kingsnake has been a long supporter and I have personally been a big supporter. I do a lot of educational displays in the midwest on their behalf. And the magazine is amazing.

So thanks for joining!
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Cindy Steinle
PHFaust
Visit kingsnake on Facebook!
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When is the Daytona Expo this year? I've got a wedding to go to on August 21st, which is the same weekend that it was last year. Also, my blood may be a little too thick to deal with the Florida climate in August, but with enough A/C and beer, I might be able to survive!

>>When is the Daytona Expo this year? I've got a wedding to go to on August 21st, which is the same weekend that it was last year. Also, my blood may be a little too thick to deal with the Florida climate in August, but with enough A/C and beer, I might be able to survive!

Yep thats the weekend of daytona
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Cindy Steinle
PHFaust
Visit kingsnake on Facebook!
Follow Kingsnake on Twitter!

The IRCF is a fantastic organization. I'm a member and plan to contribute more articles in the future, since the one on pale milks Dell and I wrote for the December issue was such a pleasure to do.

-Cole

Yep, I remember Jeff Hardwick and others commenting on that article in the forum... definitely looking forward to getting the most recent issue in the mail!

I had hoped by saying you had signed up for two you meant you and me... since there is no email giving me my user name and password I have to assume I was mistaken in my interpretation of "signed up for two"...

Heh, yeah, that's two years... don't worry, I'll bring them down when I'm done reading them.

Got your e-mail the other day, will put together some cage ideas and get back to you soon. Basically, I was thinking of a more modular, stackable design... with a solid latching mechanism!

I've gotta give my support to IRCF too. Great magazine and have really enjoyed it over the years. Nice job Nate on stepping up to a subscription, you'll like it I'm sure.

-Dell