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Feb 28 10 9:10 AM
Phil Polandppoland1@tampabay.rr.com(727) 744-0939
"Subspecies - A category in biological classification that ranks immediately below a species and designates a population of a particular geographic region genetically distinguishable from other such populations of the same species and capable of interbreeding successfully with them where its range overlaps theirs."
(Merriam-Webster)
I used the above definition when choosing subspecies, though I included probable species at this rank, erring on the side of caution. There are other defininitions, and defining "species" is quite problematic. I think this one seems to be a workable and respectable choice for the Florida Liguus.
All six tentative subspecies were in isolated geographic regions. They retained their distinct morphologies and behaviors. Up-to-date genetic analyses are needed.
Only one pair of the tentative subspecies used in this model has been known to interbreed successfully - pictus and lignumvitae, (dryas x pseudopictus), have produced a persistent and consistent offspring, the proposed sparksi. They were artificially brought together. Other such efforts with different "subspecies" seem to have failed. This suggests that only pictus and lignumvitae are truly subspecies. The six follow.
L. f. lignumvitae Pilsbry 1912
Comments - Similar to pictus and apparently closely related. One seemingly consistent and persistent hybrid was artificially created with a mating of dryas and pseudopictus. The graphicus morph innominatus was conflated with lignumvitae by Pilsbry. The background color is usually a pale yellow-cream to white, making the zonation on some varieties difficult to determine.
L. f. matecumbensis Pilsbry 1912
Comments - Not closely related to any other subspecies although some hybridization with nearby subcrenatus on Upper Matecumbe Key caused some collectors to link the two.
Comments - Similar to lignumvitae and apparently closely related. One seemingly consistent and persistent hybrid was artificially created with a mating of dryas and pseudopictus.L. f. septentrionalis Pilsbry 1912
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