Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Are there any sub-species of the Indigo or Dry clan on the Islands of this part of the world? Like the East Indies, Bahamas, Grenada, Haiti, Puerto Rico, Cuba, and on and on. If so, what are they called? What Islands are they on? What is known about them? Any books? And can we see some pics?

If there aren't, I be rally surprised. And I would have to wonder,... "why not?". Predation? Man? What? If there are, I'd be very currious about them. Heck,... this here could make fer sum good learnin. To this point, I have only heard of the ones all around the main land AROUND this region, From Florida to Venzuala, and some Island off Venezuala was it? Somebody refresh my memory and give us a good schoolin. Thanx,
T.
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"No tree would have branches foolish enough to argue amongst themseleves".

>>Are there any sub-species of the Indigo or Dry clan on the Islands of this part of the world? Like the East Indies, Bahamas, Grenada, Haiti, Puerto Rico, Cuba, and on and on. If so, what are they called? What Islands are they on? What is known about them? Any books? And can we see some pics?

There don't seem to be any Drymarchon on any of the major Caribbean islands, with the exception of Trinidad, Tobago and Isla Margarita off the coast of Venezuela. There may be some on some of the other smaller coastal islands off the coast of C. America, but they are not on the Lesser or Greater Antilles.

>>If there aren't, I be rally surprised. And I would have to wonder,... "why not?". Predation? Man? What?

More likely, they never got there - these islands (except the ones mentioned above) have all been disconnected from the mainland since before the origin of Drymarchon, or they were never connected to the mainland in the first place.

Cheers,

WW
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WW Home

WW:

Do you believe there is actually a population still on that island?

From what I've read (partially your work) I believe the species was described from a single specimen.

Have you been to the island?

Has anyone ever seen one or even heard stories of more on the island?

>>WW:
>>
>>Do you believe there is actually a population still on that island?
>>
>>From what I've read (partially your work) I believe the species was described from a single specimen.
>>
>>Have you been to the island?
>>
>>Has anyone ever seen one or even heard stories of more on the island?

Hi Dean,

Basically, no idea. As far as I recall (I don't have the relevant papres at hand), the single specimen was from the western part of the island, which is sill a nature reserve, so I don't see why there should not be some more. I have never been there (but the island is a holiday resort and easy to get to), and have never heard of anyone finding another one. That's about all I know about it myself...

Cheers,

Wolfgang
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WW Home

on the island of Roatan far off the coast of what was then British Honduras, now Belize, in 1973 I think...It was a college trip...Roatan is a fairly large island better known for it's diving...Some of you probably know where it is...
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Carl W Gossett
Garage Door Herps
Monument,Colorado...northern territory of the Great Republic of Texas

You still have to wonder,... why not at least Cuba? It's only 70 miles from the tip of Florida. I would find it difficult to believe that there are none there. I would at least like to go and look. Or contact a herpetologist, if there are any, on Cuba. And find out. Any suggestions?
T.
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"No tree would have branches foolish enough to argue amongst themseleves".

>>You still have to wonder,... why not at least Cuba? It's only 70 miles from the tip of Florida. I would find it difficult to believe that there are none there. I would at least like to go and look. Or contact a herpetologist, if there are any, on Cuba. And find out. Any suggestions?

All the Caribbean islands have been herped very extensively - if Drymarchon were on Cuba, we'd know about it. The fact is that the Greater and Lesser Antilles are a very distinct biogeographic region in themselves - most of these islands have very distincrtive herpetofaunas, consisting mostrly of endemics (species found nowhere else). There are practically no native species in common between Cuba and Florida, or for that matter between many of these islands and anywhere else. The absence of Drymarchon from the Lesser and Gretaer Antilles is thus very much part of a pattern, not a surprise.

Cheers,

Wolfgang
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WW Home

It is a surprise to me, but thanks anyway. I know more now than I did before, which is why I come here. Thanks again,
T.
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"No tree would have branches foolish enough to argue amongst themseleves".

I'm afraid WW is correct, regarding the absence of Drymarchon within the "Pearl of the Antilles."
You may wish to contact Dr. Peter Vogel of the University of the West Indies, as he is a very experienced Herpetologist, who harbors a keen knowledge regarding herps within the West Indies.
If you will forward me your e-mail address, I would be happy to place you into contact with Dr. Vogel.

Jeff