TAXONOMIC NOTES

Lichanura trivirgata complex

Based on a remarkable phylogeographic analysis of the Rosy Boa complex (Wood, Fisher, and Reeder 2008), the Center for North American Herpetology (Collins and Taggart 2009) reflexively adopted the taxonomic proposals made in that paper, even though they were based almost entirely upon mitochondrial gene sequencing data, and we fully expect the other “standard names list” (Crother et al. 2008) to follow suit upon its next publication. We at SWCHR, however, feel that it is more prudent to retain the current taxonomic arrangement for this complex until the admittedly compelling hypotheses of the Wood et al. paper can be reinforced or falsified, as those authors themselves suggest, with additional data from nuclear markers and/or morphological analysis.

Consequently, our view of this complex within the Southwestern region will remain as follows until additional evidence is forthcoming:
Desert Rosy Boa (Lichanura trivirgata gracia)
Coastal Rosy Boa (Lichanura trivirgata roseofusca)
Mexican Rosy Boa (Lichanura trivirgata trivirgata)

Literature Cited

Collins, J.T. & T.W. Taggart. 2009. Standard Common and Current Scientific Names for North American Amphibians, Turtles, Reptiles, and Crocodilians. Sixth Edition. The Center for North American Herpetology, Lawrence, Kansas. Pp. iv + 44.

Crother, B.I. (chair), et al. 2008. Scientific and Standard English Names of Amphibians and Reptiles of North America North of Mexico, with comments regarding confidence in our understanding (Sixth edition). Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles, Herp. Circ. No. 37. 84 pp.

Wood, D.A., Fisher, R.N., and T.W. Reeder. 2008. Novel patterns of historical isolation, dispersal, and secondary contact across Baja California in the Rosy Boa (Lichanura trivirgata). Mol. Phylogenet. Evol. 46(2008): 484-502.

13 Jan 2010

SWCHR Committee on Common and Scientific Names
Tom Lott, Committee Chair
Terry Cox
Riley J. Campbell
Gerald Keown (ex officio member)

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