Geographic Variation in Plasma Protein Patterns of Snakes

Abstract

Distinct geographic differences are revealed in king snakes (Lampropeltis getulus), racers (Coluber constrictor), common water snakes (Natrix sipedon), and common garter snakes (Thamnophis sirtalis) by variations in the position, number and quantity of fractions of paper-electrophoretic patterns. The faster migrating fractions are most useful in such comparisons as slower migrating fractions exhibit much physiologic variation. A single lead fraction is characteristic of king snakes from California, whereas two fractions occur in the same area of patterns of specimens from southeast United States. A similar variation distinguishes racers from New York from those of southeast states and California. Much regional variation, especially in quantity of fast fractions of similar mobility, occurs in patterns of water snakes and garter snakes. In the lower Mississippi Valley populations of water snakes living within 20 to 50 miles of each other may exhibit different patterns.