A classmate was showing me some pics of T.marmoratus the other day. In one particular population, there were several "difficult" animals. Why? because it was not that eassy to clarify if they were marmoratus or pygmaeus!
These animals showed an intermediate size between both species (which means nothing really), a shorter crest with a more subtle "pelvic dip", resembling pygmaeus...and a creamy belly, with large black spots. The dorsal colouration was marmoratus though. The northern range pygmaeus are supossed to exhibit a spotted-like design.
Tail tips were collected and sent to be analyzed, to see if any genetic introgresion had occured in the population.
Wether there is something going on with these, or they are just another example of how variable marmoratus can be, i definitely find them to be interesting. This spring i´ll probably be lucky enough to go see them myself.
Btw, since i´m already hearing the "how could you" in my head, the pics aren´t mine, i wasn´t there, and yes, i also think it´s a rather rough way to handle them.....but hey they are the herpetologists....
These animals showed an intermediate size between both species (which means nothing really), a shorter crest with a more subtle "pelvic dip", resembling pygmaeus...and a creamy belly, with large black spots. The dorsal colouration was marmoratus though. The northern range pygmaeus are supossed to exhibit a spotted-like design.
Tail tips were collected and sent to be analyzed, to see if any genetic introgresion had occured in the population.
Wether there is something going on with these, or they are just another example of how variable marmoratus can be, i definitely find them to be interesting. This spring i´ll probably be lucky enough to go see them myself.
Btw, since i´m already hearing the "how could you" in my head, the pics aren´t mine, i wasn´t there, and yes, i also think it´s a rather rough way to handle them.....but hey they are the herpetologists....
