Talk:Crotalus viridis

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[edit] More subspecies?

Stebbins, R.C. A Field Guide to Western Reptiles and Amphibians (3rd edition, 2003) describes nine, not two, subspecies: Prarie rattlesnake (C. v. viridis), Grand Canyon (abyssus), Arizona Black (cerberus), New Mexico Midget faded (concolor), Southern Pacific (helleri), Northern Pacific (oreganus), Great Basin (lutosus), Hopi (nuntius), and Coronado Island (caliginis).

Absent reasons to the contrary, I think the article should include the other seven subspecies. I will add them, unless someone objects. Bjartmarr (talk) 05:45, 7 April 2008 (UTC)

Obviously, Stebbins (2003) still follows the previous taxonomy for this species; most of my books say the same. However, things have changed. Except for nuntius, the subspecies you mention have all been moved to Crotalus oreganus. Both ITIS and the Tigr Reptile Database, the two main sources of snake taxonomy available on the Internet, follow this new situation. Apparently, the articles responsible for this taxonomic shift are:

• Pook CE, Wüster W, Thorpe RS. 2000. Historical biogeography of the western rattlesnake (Serpentes: Viperidae: Crotalus viridis), inferred from mitochondrial DNA sequence information. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 15: 269-282. PDF
• Ashton KG, de Queiroz A. 2001. Molecular systematics of the Western Rattlesnake, Crotalus viridis (Viperidae), with comments on the utility of the D-Loop in phylogenetic studies of snakes. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 21(2):176-189.

Apparently, the results of these two studies were broadly similar and convincing enough to result in a consensus for change within the herpetological community. I'll add these notes to the current articles. Hope this clears things up for you! Cheers, --Jwinius (talk) 12:20, 7 April 2008 (UTC)

Yes, that clears things up. Adding the taxonomy section is helpful. Bjartmarr (talk) 03:51, 8 April 2008 (UTC)