Re: Deckerts ratsnake?

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Posted by Adam Song on February 12, 2000 at 23:21:55:

In Reply to: Re: Deckerts ratsnake? posted by David Desoer on February 06, 2000 at 18:21:37:

Deckert's ratsnake is the commen or trival name for Elaphe obsoleta deckerti. As to being a subspecies of everglades that could be debated. Deckert's rat snake originate from the Florida keys, so it could be argued the for the most part they are an isolated population and thus deserve to be considered it's own subspecies. The other says that they are a population of yellow and everglades intergrades and thus are not a distinct subspecies. As an individual you must deside which arguement you favor. In my opinion, there is enough difference to make a distinction between Deckert's, yellows, and everglades, therefore the name (scientific or trival) serves a purpose. It lets us have a mutual understanding of we are talking about (the keys form of E. obsoleta), thus facilitating better communication among us.

One final note, though I understand what you ment, and used the term as you did. Elaphe obsoleta deckerti cannot be a subspecies of everglades, since everglades (Elaphe obsoleta rossalleni) is a subspecies itself. Either it is an everglades, or yellow rat snake, or it is not. If it is not then it is a subspecies of Elaphe obsoleta (the subspecies being deckerti).

Hope this helps
Adam Song

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: Deckert's ratsnake is the commen or trival name for Elaphe obsoleta deckerti. As to being a subspecies of everglades that could be debated. Deckert's rat snake originate from the Florida keys, so it could be argued the for the most part they are an isolated population and thus deserve to be considered it's own subspecies. The other says that they are a population of yellow and everglades intergrades and thus are not a distinct subspecies. As an individual you must deside which arguement you favor. In my opinion, there is enough difference to make a distinction between Deckert's, yellows, and everglades, therefore the name (scientific or trival) serves a purpose. It lets us have a mutual understanding of we are talking about (the keys form of E. obsoleta), thus facilitating better communication among us. : One final note, though I understand what you ment, and used the term as you did. Elaphe obsoleta deckerti cannot be a subspecies of everglades, since everglades (Elaphe obsoleta rossalleni) is a subspecies itself. Either it is an everglades, or yellow rat snake, or it is not. If it is not then it is a subspecies of Elaphe obsoleta (the subspecies being deckerti). : Hope this helps : Adam Song

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