Posted by:
CBH
at Fri Feb 19 08:12:53 2010 [ Report Abuse ] [ Email Message ] [ Show All Posts by CBH ]
Scott and others...
" egyptians are shorter, stouter, with smaller rounder heads, usually darker colored, have a bit of dark speckling on teh underside of the tail, and on the belly. rufescens are even more different, as anyone who keeps them can tell."
I don't disagree, but this does not necessarily mean they are different species/subspecies. Due to the fact that we only receive a small portion of the genetic diversity actually present in Africa, basing relationships on morphology of captive animals will not hold up. You would need to sample from across their range and use both morphometrics and molecular data to determine the relationships between the Eryx colubrinus complex.
If anyone wants to fund the trip, I am willing to do the field/lab work. 
-Chris
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Christopher E. Smith
Contact
Captive Bred Herps
Wildlife Research & Consulting Services, LLC
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