Allozyme Variation among Disjunct Populations of the Florida Green Watersnake (Nerodia floridana)

Abstract

necessary before future listing considerations (e.g., candidacy for Endangered Species status). The objective of this study was to examine allozyme variation between the two disjunct populations of N. floridana. The null hypothesis is that the two populations are homogeneous in allozyme distribution; the alternative is that they differ. The possible implications of the study are as follows: (1) if the population in South Carolina is diagnosed as a species [following the phylogenetic species concept as the operational form of the evolutionary species concept (Frost and Kluge, 1994)], it should warrant careful consideration for protection under the Endangered Species Act; and (2) if the null is not rejected, that is, no differences in allozyme characters are found, the special status of the species in South Carolina might require reconsideration.