Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have been looking at alot of pictures of the king cobra and observing specimens in captivity and I have noticed that there seems to be a good deal of variation in the appearance of some specimens. The King has a fairly large distribution through out Asia and I have noticed some individuals that are banded (China?) and others that are even quite red in color. My question is: 1) are there any recognized (legitimate) subspecies of O. hannah 2) are there currently (or in the past) any studies being done on O. hannah taxonomy/morphology 3) are there any documented major geographic differences in O. hannah that are important to note, but not important enough for them to warrant subspecies status? 4) is there a pronounced variation in venom composition across O. hannah's range?

Thanks.

TW

I do believe that the taxonomy of Ophiophagus is being worked on at the present time. I do not know when the paper(s) will be presented. WW &/or BGF may well be able to offer up an approximate date.

~~Greg~~

>>I have been looking at alot of pictures of the king cobra and observing specimens in captivity and I have noticed that there seems to be a good deal of variation in the appearance of some specimens. The King has a fairly large distribution through out Asia and I have noticed some individuals that are banded (China?) and others that are even quite red in color. My question is:

>> 1) are there any recognized (legitimate) subspecies of O. hannah

Noen htta are currently recognised.

>> 2) are there currently (or in the past) any studies being done on O. hannah taxonomy/morphology

There are both morphological and molecular studies in progress. I have involvement with mtDNA studies on kings.

>> 3) are there any documented major geographic differences in O. hannah that are important to note, but not important enough for them to warrant subspecies status?

There are substantial morphological and genetic differences, which are likely to warrant splitting the king into a number of different species (seven species is one rumour that has been bandied about). Since all this is so far either based on rumour or still under wraps, I can't really comment further.

>> 4) is there a pronounced variation in venom composition across O. hannah's range?

Yup, there is documented variation. Apparently, Thai king cobra a/v does not work against some Indian populations.

Cheers,

Wolfgang
-----
WW

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Just as I suspected. Thanks WW.