Why it's an Elaphe...

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Posted by Phil on December 25, 1999 at 18:27:26:

In Reply to: Not a ratsnake? Uhm are you OK are you sick? or just... oh well.. If it isnt a ratsnake then why oh why is it in the genus ELAPHE? Hmmmmmm please explain that one? Thanks n/p posted by DougL on December 25, 1999 at 12:07:22:

Because taxonomists can screw up like the rest of us, that's why. The fact is, assigning a given taxon to a given genus is a relative affair, and is only worth the time that was spent on researching it. A great many species have been classified as belonging to a certain genus with precious little research, and the genus Elaphe is well renowned to be a refuge for a lot of animals or groups of animals that simply haven't been too well studied. Much like the genus Senticolis was split up from american ratsnakes, it is only a matter of time before many asian species are split out from Elaphe as well. Anyone who has had in his posession some "E." carinata or "E". radiata, as well as this fish-eating taxon can tell they differ significantly from your typical Elaphe prototype. Gonyosoma is already split off, but some others will follow when a good taxonomist puts his mind on the task.

Phil

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Re: Why it's an Elaphe... Terry Cox 12/25/99 (0)

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: Because taxonomists can screw up like the rest of us, that's why. The fact is, assigning a given taxon to a given genus is a relative affair, and is only worth the time that was spent on researching it. A great many species have been classified as belonging to a certain genus with precious little research, and the genus Elaphe is well renowned to be a refuge for a lot of animals or groups of animals that simply haven't been too well studied. Much like the genus Senticolis was split up from american ratsnakes, it is only a matter of time before many asian species are split out from Elaphe as well. Anyone who has had in his posession some "E." carinata or "E". radiata, as well as this fish-eating taxon can tell they differ significantly from your typical Elaphe prototype. Gonyosoma is already split off, but some others will follow when a good taxonomist puts his mind on the task. : Phil

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