>>Burbrink's new paper;

>>

>>NEWS RELEASE

>>The Center for North American Herpetology

>>Lawrence, Kansas

>>http://www.cnah.org

>>8 April 2007

>>

>>HOW AND WHEN DID OLD WORLD RAT SNAKES DISPERSE INTO THE NEW WORLD?

>>

>>Frank T. Burbrink and Robin Lawson

>>2007. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 43: 173-189

>>

>>I read through it quickly. There are some interesting things to discuss. They pick the Bering Strait as the migration Route (the usual choice).

>>

>>They have Coronella as the nearest relation to the new world lampropeltines.

>>



Agree! Actually, that was proposed by Utiger et al., 2005, I believe.



>>They have separated bella from Elaphe.

>>



Agree! But I think they should have proposed "Euprepiophis" as their new genus. Seems to be a connection there, if you ask me...haha!



>>They have not put frenata and prasina in Gonyosoma (that's going to be a bone of contention).

>>



Don't agree! I thought they deserved being in Gonyosoma. I assume they made a new genus for them?



>>They put the fox snakes into a branch with the pits.

>>



Just can't get it right with the fox snakes. First split into two species with no real justification, imo. Now going to put the species into another genus which hasn't even been shown to be a "ratsnake" genus, yet. Where's the justice in that? I always thought fox snakes were closely related to the guttatus group. Guess it doesn't pay to think.



>>They put Bogertophis into a branch with the king snakes and their kin.

>>



Gots to be kidding...LOL!



>>Very interesting (and provocative).

>>Regards

>>John



I'm going to have to read this one again. Something just doesn't seem right here.



TC

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