Tiger/speck... and any other hybrids...

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Posted by Jaffo on September 12, 2002 at 12:16:07:

Frank, and whoever else... you need to think about something. If hybrids occur, it is a freak accident, and is not common. Otherwise more people would find them, and not many do.
More importantly, there are biological barriers to hybridization to preserve the gene pool, and there is a reason for that. For example, female tigris will have distict pheromones that attract male tigris. Accidental breeding can occur, sure. But maybe more with some species than others. The point is, if hybridization were so common and easy, we wouldn't have distinct species, would we? You have to think in terms of evolution, and how long that takes. Suggesting common hybridization between specks and tigris is like suggesting common hybridization between scutulatus and cerastes.

Tigris and mitchelli are so drastically different in terms of biology, natural history, and anatomy. I very HIGHLY doubt hybridization occurs on a regular basis between this species. In fact, there is only a very small portion of their range where they would have such an opportunity, and I live in the middle of one of those areas. If hybrids are so common, how did either species last this long?

Frank, there is no reason to expect a hybrid rattlesnake of any mix not to make it very long. They may not be able to reproduce for some reason, but they are still equipped to survive in the ecosystem they came from. They're hybrids, not albinos.

Jaffo

Follow Ups:

Re: dang you fellas are awful silly FR 09/12/02 (11)
- Just because you say so? And a guess for your pic... jaffo 09/13/02 (9)
  - Re: Just because you say so? And a guess for your pic... Blackwater 09/15/02 (4)
    - Exactly Jaffo 09/15/02 (3)
      - Re: Exactly Rich G.cascabel 09/15/02 (2)
        
        "turned" totally black? Jaffo 09/15/02 (1)
        
        bad choice of words on my part.....misleading.. Rich G.cascabel 09/16/02 (0)
  - Re: I am sorry Jaffo FR 09/13/02 (2)
    - I have one question for you Frank.... Jaffo 09/13/02 (0)
    - Can we see the rest of that pic Frank? n/p Brendan 09/13/02 (0)
  - BTW, I vote atrox/molossus too... n/p jaffo 09/13/02 (0)
- Well, I can say..... Rich G.cascabel 09/13/02 (0)
but sometimes we screw up biological barriers...... Rich G.cascabel 09/12/02 (8)
- Re: but sometimes we screw up biological barriers...... Mike M. 09/13/02 (7)
  - All I was doing was pointing out..... Rich G.cascabel 09/13/02 (6)
    - But that's not all it takes... Mike M. 09/13/02 (5)
      - This really is a strong point Mike, and I agree... jaffo 09/13/02 (4)
        
        You guys ae not saying anything different than I am..... Rich G.cascabel 09/13/02 (3)
        
        Jaffo brought up a point >> JJFeldner 09/13/02 (2)
        
        I completely under stand the point you and Jaffo are making Rich G.cascabel 09/13/02 (0)
        
        Good point Jerry........ Brendan 09/13/02 (0)
I agree with you... Kenny Wray 09/12/02 (0)