Serological Relationships among Some Colubrid Snakes

Abstract

Sera of 22 species of colubrid snakes were studied by immunoelectrophoresis using antisera against serum proteins of Coluber constrictor, Elaphe vulpina, Natrix sipedon, Naja naja and Crotalus horridus to develop the preparations. Development of a snake serum with its homologous antiserum gives a pattern of seven or eight precipitin arcs. Some of these represent components widely shared among snakes, while others are more or less specific for closely related taxa. Two serological groups can be distinguished in our material. One consists of Elaphe (3 sp.), Lampropeltis (2 sp.) and Pituophis melanoleucus. The other group consists of Natrix (4 sp.), Thamnophis (2 sp.), and Regina septemvittata. Serologically these groups are as distinct from each other as they are from Naja and Crotalus. Coluber constrictor is somewhat intermediate between the two but closer to Elaphe. Three Old World colubrids, Coluber jugularis, C. ravergieri and Spalerosophis diadema, are serologically intermediate between Coluber constrictor and Elaphe. Malpolon monspessulanus and Psammophis schokari are also intermediate but slightly closer to Coluber. The affinities of Trimorphodon biscutatus are more nearly with Elaphe than with Coluber or Natrix. Leptodeira maculata and Heterodon platyrhinos do not fit the above groups nor do they appear to be closely related to one another.