In going through Meier/White's Clinical Toxicology book, I see the Russell's viper listed as Vipera russelii pulchella and Daboia russelii pulchella---why the difference in taxonomy for the exact same (I believe) snake? Thanks for your time.
Most sincerely,
Bill Huseth
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Wolfgang, a taxonomy question...
kingcobrafan
Jul 19, 2003 04:03 PM
Replies (4)
BGF
Jul 19, 2003 04:46 PM
Crap editing.
Cheers
BGF
kingcobrafan
Jul 20, 2003 12:00 AM
n/t
WW
Jul 21, 2003 04:03 AM
>>Crap editing.
BGF summed it up nicely.
To elaborate a bit, Vipera russelii was the old name, whereas for the last 10 or so years, it has been referred to as Daboia russelii. Needless to say, the toxinologists are about 20 years behing as far as taxonomy is concerned, hence mixed names int he same book.
In addition to that, the ssp. pulchella is a bit of a joke anyway - Sri Lankan animals are not distinct from southern Indian animals and pulchella is a synonym of russelii.
Cheers,
Wolfgang
-----
WW
kingcobrafan
Jul 21, 2003 05:19 PM
n/t
