Metamerism in the snake Opheodrys vernalis, with a description of a new subspecies

Publication Type:

Journal Article

Authors:

Grobman, Arnold B.

Source:

Journal of Herpetology, Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles, Volume 26, Issue 2, p.175-186 (1992)

Call Number:

A92GRO01IDUS

URL:

http://www.jstor.org/stable/1564859

Keywords:

Opheodrys vernalis, Smooth Green Snake, Smooth Greensnake

Abstract:

Scutellation data from 2174 specimens of the smooth green snake, Opheodrys vernalis, were used in an analysis of the association of metamerism with geographic distribution, ambient temperatures, vegetation, topography, and historical events. Coloration and sex were also found to be associated with metamerism. The sex ratio, systematic relationships, and a new subspecies from the northeastern part of the range are described.