Melanistic diversity in the Maritime Gartersnake, Thamnophis sirtalis pallidulus, in Nova Scotia, Canada

Authors

  • John Gilhen Nova Scotia Museum of Natural History, 1747 Summer Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 3A6
  • Fred W. Scott Nova Scotia Museum of Natural History, 1747 Summer Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 3A6

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22621/cfn.v128i1.1552

Keywords:

Maritime Gartersnake, Thamnophis sirtalis pallidulus, pure melanism, melanism, nigrismus, predominantly melanistic, abundismus, mosaic melanism, coastal islands, Nova Scotia

Abstract

We describe an unusual diversity of melanistic conditions in populations of the Maritime Gartersnake, Thamnophis sirtalis pallidulus, in Nova Scotia: pure melanism, melanism, nigrismus (predominantly melanistic), abundismus (mosaic melanism). This variability is widespread in Nova Scotia, and it includes coastal islands.

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Published

2014-03-26

Issue

Vol. 128 No. 1 (2014)

Section

Articles

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