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This is almost alterna related (i.e. it depends on your agreement with current taxonomy LOL!!!!).

Those of you interested in the evolutionary biology of kingsnakes etc., should check out the latest Journal of Herpetology (Volume 39 #2). In it there is a new species of kingsnake described from Sinaloa and Durango, Mexico (Lampropeltis webbi). It is most closely related to L. pyromelana and L. m. greeri.

If you remember the discussion a few years ago on grey band forum about this group of snakes, this new species fills in the distributional gap between pyro and greeri that was proposed by some of us in discussing bigwhitefeet's crossing of pyro and alterna.

The specimens are an interesting find and the article is a good read. You can decide for yourselves if you agree with the authors findings or taxonomy (new or proposed).

Have a safe and happy 4th of July weekend everyone. Hugh

If you can get a hold of Bryson's master thesis, it's another good read. I think Robby is sharp as a tack and ironically mtDNA agrees with what a lot of the really old timers speculated on the origins of these kingsnakes.

On another note, they've got big cajunas for going into one of the most dangerous places in Mexico for a gringo and coming back not only with all limbs intact but something to show for it as well.

Well done Robby.
Best
Joe

np

The mountains of Sinaloa and Durango are a bit iffy. Here the problem is US consumers putting a high value on the crops grown here (drugs). If US consumers didn't buy this crap for big $$, this part of Mexico wouldn't be a problem.

There are areas in the mountains of eastern Guerrero and western Oaxaca where there have been a few isolated holdups of tourist cars and even buses.

The unrest in Chiapas (due to the long term persecution of the indiginous people by the government in Mexico City) has been largely settled (for now). The real problem for gringos during that time was nosy gringos with an agenda trying to go down and get involved in an issue that didn't really concern them.
The problems with the Guatemalan refugees fighting for the right to live in the Lacandon biosphere reserve in southern Chiapas still makes the border regions a touchy place. I've spent quite a bit of time in Chis. over the last few years with nary a problem.

There are robberies in Mexico City, just as any large city in the world. It isn't any worse than parts of New York, LA, or Dallas for that matter.

Nuevo Laredo has reportedly become a lawless drug frontier town. Again, the problem is the US insatiable desire for illicit drugs. It is really quite sad that the people of this town are being held hostage by our desire to get high.

Sorry Lance, I know you are mostly joking, but you just touched a sensitive issue for me. Mexico is as safe as any other 3rd world country of its size, probably more so. In fact, the people of Mexico are welcoming and very patient with idiot gringos like myself.

I just don't like to see people badmouthing another country or people based on heresay and outdated pejorative generalizations.
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Chris Harrison
Does anyone else here think that these scrolling signature lines are stupid?

...I have found the everyday people in Mexico to be friendly, curious, helpful and appreciative; especially if one speaks Spanish. Mexican law enforcement is another story for another time...I've seen some outright crooked stuff and been subjected to some very unsavory treatment by law enforcement down there in years past. Mexico got the lion's share of cool herp species in North America for sure. It simply takes tact, caution, empathy and respect for the culture to successfully herp in Mexico. As you said in yor post, you can get the same treatment right here in the USA...I know I have.

Cheers and Happy 4th,
Robert Haase

When herping in the US you have basic rights and not in the 3rd world. If you get a "ticket" then you at least leave with your life, this isn't always the case in the 3rd world. Maybe it is the location of the animals being close to areas which are being used for questionable activities. I do agree with Chris. If idiots would quit buying the drugs then people wouldn't have a reason to grow them.

Do people from the area offer to be guides for a little money?
Maybe this is an option.

Take Care,

Steven

but rather that our government's (and our citizen's) failure to learn the lessons of alcohol prohibition in the 20s has caused the problem with lawlessness, crime, and gang activity in both Mexico and the US. Alcohol prohibition created the Mob problems here in the US in the 20s, and drug prohibition today creates a lot of the gang problems today in the US, as well as the organized crime problems in Mexico. Some form of Legalization (measured, controlled, and TAXED!) coupled with treatment and public education campaigns (such as those aimed at the Tobacco industry) would better help settle the "drug problem" than fighting the so-called "War on Drugs".

Troy

...a place to get your ears cut off only if you're lucky and VERY SCARY to travel through or spend time in the field. One of my fellow scientists was beheaded in that area for blundering into a poppy field by mistake. Despite the hostile human atmosphere of eastern Sinaloa, I'm glad to see that Rob successfully identified a sister taxon to L. pyromelana. It was waiting to be found and identified to science. Well done, Mr. Bryson. Sometimes molecule-chasing in the lab can be truly exciting. You're fortunate to have made a real contribution to taxonomy.

Cheers,
Robert Haase