Hi
My apologies if this has been raised previously, but I performed a quick scan and couldn't see anything on it.
Following publication of Skinner's work on P. nuchalis, the above species were recognised as separate species by many herpers. I profess to know little about the DNA and morphological differentiations made, aside from some basic stuff (eg the rostral of aspidorhyncha), but then again, DNA work seems to have thrown open a Pandora's box in taxonomy.
A later publication, a Ph.D thesis, appears to put aside both of the above and return them to P. nuchalis. It was written by C. Gregory and is published on the University of Griffith's website, here:
http://research-hub.griffith.edu.au/display/n8f59b0d3943ed72d9d95172695f2e1ec
The paper explores both Pseudonaja and Oxyuranus, and makes for interesting reading. It suggests that while the above might not exist as separate species, there might be more in the Pseudonaja group than those currently recognised.
So my question is, how valid are aspidorhyncha and mengdeni in the face of this?
Simon
My apologies if this has been raised previously, but I performed a quick scan and couldn't see anything on it.
Following publication of Skinner's work on P. nuchalis, the above species were recognised as separate species by many herpers. I profess to know little about the DNA and morphological differentiations made, aside from some basic stuff (eg the rostral of aspidorhyncha), but then again, DNA work seems to have thrown open a Pandora's box in taxonomy.
A later publication, a Ph.D thesis, appears to put aside both of the above and return them to P. nuchalis. It was written by C. Gregory and is published on the University of Griffith's website, here:
http://research-hub.griffith.edu.au/display/n8f59b0d3943ed72d9d95172695f2e1ec
The paper explores both Pseudonaja and Oxyuranus, and makes for interesting reading. It suggests that while the above might not exist as separate species, there might be more in the Pseudonaja group than those currently recognised.
So my question is, how valid are aspidorhyncha and mengdeni in the face of this?
Simon