1 Topic by ser

  • ser
  • ser
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  • From: Staffordshire Ecological Recor
  • Registered: 24-09-2008
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Topic: Natrix helvetica

I hope the two new species of grass snake will be added to the species dictionary quickly!

Natrix helvetica is already there as N.natrix subsp.helvetica, but Natrix natrix sensu stricto (or N.n. subsp. natrix) isn't - the existing Natrix natrix will need to be changed to Natrix natrix sensu lato.

Whether the new species is accepted or not, Natrix natrix subsp. natrix needs adding the enable distinguishing the two variants

Regards
Craig

Craig Slawson
Staffordshire Ecological Record

ser's Website

2 Reply by ChrisR

  • ChrisR
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  • Registered: 27-08-2011
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Re: Natrix helvetica

Thanks Craig - I saw that all kick off while I was on holiday but resisted thinking too much about how I'd sort out that ghastly reorganisation! ;)  I will get on to it as soon as I can :)

Chris Raper, Manager of the UK Species Inventory, Angela Marmont Centre for UK Biodiversity,
Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 5BD.  (tel: 020 7942 5894)
also Tachinid Recording Scheme (http://tachinidae.org.uk/)

3 Reply by ChrisR

  • ChrisR
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Re: Natrix helvetica

Actually, thinking about it I think what we need is:

- "Natrix natrix subsp. helvetica" is promoted to be a species with a new name "Natrix helvetica"
- "Natrix natrix" becomes "Natrix natrix s.l."
- We need a new concept "Natrix natrix s.s."
- Both "Natrix natrix subsp. cetti" & "Natrix natrix subsp. corsa" move to be children of "Natrix natrix s.s."

Chris Raper, Manager of the UK Species Inventory, Angela Marmont Centre for UK Biodiversity,
Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 5BD.  (tel: 020 7942 5894)
also Tachinid Recording Scheme (http://tachinidae.org.uk/)

4 Reply by ChrisR

  • ChrisR
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Re: Natrix helvetica

It actually works out simpler than that:

- "Natrix natrix" becomes "Natrix helivetica"
- "Natrix natrix subsp. helvetica" is merged with Natrix helvetica
- "Natrix natrix subsp. cetti" & "Natrix natrix subsp. corsa" become subsp of Natrix helvetica

We have only had 1 species of grass snake and we still only have 1 species of grass snake here. The remaining subspecies are non-natives and excluded for recording purposes.

:)

Chris Raper, Manager of the UK Species Inventory, Angela Marmont Centre for UK Biodiversity,
Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 5BD.  (tel: 020 7942 5894)
also Tachinid Recording Scheme (http://tachinidae.org.uk/)