To investigate anecdotal range distributions for Nerodia erythrogaster, a total of 130 adult specimens from southern Illinois, western Kentucky, and adjacent western Tennessee were scored for ventral color and dorsal pigment invasion onto the ventral scales. Analysis of these characters revealed that true N. erythrogaster flavigaster populations do not exist in Kentucky and also may be absent from Tennessee. The region is instead dominated by morphs intermediate between N. e. flavigaster and N. e. neglecta. Furthermore, the range of N. e. neglecta should be extended along the Ohio and Cumberland rivers.
ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE
Journal of the Kentucky Academy of Science
Vol. 67 • No. 2
Fall 2006
Vol. 67 • No. 2
Fall 2006
erythrogaster
flavigaster
intergrade
neglecta
Nerodia
phenotype
transversa