nomenclature?

[i of the storm]

OK, we ordered a Puget and a red-sided from Scott.
These are both common garter snakes as far as I can tell. So , trying to remember biology, they are the same species, different.....uh, thats where I forget..

[adamanteus]

They are the same species.....Thamnophis sirtalis.
But different sub-species...T. s. pickeringii (Puget Sound) and T. s. parietalis (Red Sided).

[i of the storm]

OK, would a boxer and a collie be different sub-species?

[adamanteus]

Sorry, I don't do dogs! I'm not sure if the nomenclature of artificially produced breeds is the same.

[i of the storm]

oh, yeah, thats right. They wouldn't be species. I was trying to come up with another example to help my daughter explain it when she gets asked. What does "Thamnophis sirtalis" mean, or come from?

[adamanteus]

I think Stefan is pretty hot on the origins and meanings of scientific names...he's the man to ask! Or you could always Google it.

[RZL36]

Thamnophis - Greek - thamnos - shrub or bush, and ophis - snake, serpent
sirtalis - sirtalis like a garter - probably refers to the to striped pattern

Source: Thamnophis sirtalis infernalis - California Red-sided Gartersnake

[RZL36]

If anyone is into origins of scientific names, check this out:

Scientific and Common Names of the Reptiles and Amphibians of North America - Explained

[adamanteus]

Great link, Rich! I've saved it to 'my favourites', I'll use it again. Thanks.

[i of the storm]

Great link. Thanks for the info.

J.