Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Does anyone know what was the last kingsnake to be found in the wild as a "new" species or subspecies?
If so what was the species or ssp? and what year was it?
Do you think that there are still unfound Lampropeltis in the wild in this day and age???
I do..........More in a bit.
John Lassiter

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I was thinking in the U.S.A.

There are definitely possibilities in other parts of the world. More species to be found.

Kerby...

No, I don't believe there is a new lampropeltis that has never been seen before. Can the great "academias" classify/re-classify something as "new" - yes.

Range extensions - yes
New lampropeltis species/sub-species - no (unless it fits my yes from above)

Kerby...

There is a new Lampropeltis. What was the last one classified that you know of?
I was thinking the same as you Kerby until I recently got some information....Fill you in, in a bit.
John Lassiter

New, as in a new species never seen before?, or a range extension? or a sub-species?

I get frustrated with the academias that determine species/sub-species - then change it 50 years later and ignore their "same criteria" on other species.

I just go with the flow............

Would like to see what info you have

Kerby...

Yes, I believe there will be a few more. My bet will be from northern south america, southern mex. up to central mex. These will be from isolated valleys and mountain ranges, they will not be new to the locals, but new to science and most of us. FR

Actually there has been a new lampropeltis found farther north than you have expected. This new Lampropeltis has been given a new name and was found last year...... I will share all info later.....
Again....thost that I emailed info to cannot reply....
John Lassiter

If you buy the use of the name "meansi" for the Appalachicola kings, then that would be the newest name I am aware of.

Pueblan Milks were described sometime in the early to mid 1980s. That is the last accepted change that I can think of.

I am sure there is a lot of realignment due in the milksnakes and maybe the mountain kings, but that will involve loss of taxa, not elevation of new taxa.
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Chris Harrison
Does anyone else here think that these scrolling signature lines are stupid?

Has anyone heard of Lampropeltis Webbi?
2 specimens have been found (both DOR) in the Mexican State of Durango on Mexican Hwy 40 near the Durango/Sinoloa border..
Robert Bryson has released R. W. Bryson et al. containing information justifying this as being a separate and new Lampropeltis. Bryson collected his DOR specimen last year (2004).

John Lassiter

The pics look a lot like knobs....

Separate species?????????

Kerby...

Correction....The specimen was found in 2000.....Not 2004...OOPS!
John Lassiter

Quite possible for L. triangulum. In fact it may have already been discovered as I have not heard anyone place the AZ milks down by Douglas into a subspecies yet. Then there is the possibility of other yet to be found triangulum pops in Mexico and even in the USA -- Nevada or Idaho come to mind. There are rumaors of tricolored snakes in the southern Baja Calif mountains. Another zonata or perhaps a L. mexicana if they are ever verified. How about a getula-like kingsnake from one of the islands in the Gulf of Calif. Supposedly a purple splendida came off one of those islands a while back.
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Rick Staub
R&R Reptiles

I can't wait to see some of those you have mentioned. I think in secluded areas of Mexico there will be new species found.
John

Ditto on the Mexico locale. North central mountainous regions would be my guess.
Todd Hughes