I was holding the best for last. On the second day of the trip we found this beauty (a neonate/juvenile):
Notice the similarity to C. w. obscurus (which was formerly under C. w.
silus). The single facial stripe and lack of rostral stripe is what keys the subspecies. However there is a large range in variation within this
subspecies. Some having more facial striping than others. C. w. obscurus occurs in adjacent ranges. I'm preparing an article which apart from other
things on C. willardi reports the variation of the subspecies and sympatry (two species/subspecies ocuring
together) of two subspecies (willardi and silus) in some sky islands.
I'm on the lookout for this between the silus and obscurus
subspecies. I have yet to explore the range(s) that I think this occurs in... A genetic revision of the C.
willardi subspecies is forthcoming by Zamudio and Greene.
Cheers,
Robert
Crotalus willardi silus
Cheers,
Robert
