The specimens examined were donated to the Museum of Natural History,
University of Kansas, by the late Paul Anderson of Independence,
Missouri. All specimens (KU numbers 83435-83680; N = 246) were collected
in the vicinity of Winfield, Cowley County, Kansas, by Charles E. Burt
and students from Southwestern College in the period from 1938 to 1941,
inclusive.
Both authors gathered data on most characteristics and examined each
atypical individual. Hardy determined characters of the maxillae (which
were removed; N = 20), body and total lengths, and the scale formula of
KU 83620.
We examined 22 characteristics of external morphology and 10 of the
maxillae. All paired characteristics (excepting those of the maxillae)
were examined on both sides of each snake and are referred to from the
left side to the right side (for example, "preoculars 1-2" means there
is one preocular on the left side and there are two on the right).
Oviducts and oviducal eggs were observed on specimens designated as
females; hemipenes were examined on specimens designated as males. Total
length was measured by straightening each snake along a 300 mm. scale.
Tail length was measured only on snakes having complete tails, and body
length (snout-vent) was considered as total length minus tail length.
The body length was measured on snakes having incomplete tails.
Supralabials, infralabials, preoculars and postoculars were counted, and
we followed Peters (1960:9) in determining the nature of the temporals.
Occasionally the primary (anterior) temporal is separated from the
postocular by contact of the parietal and a supralabial (Taylor,
1936:338). We followed Peters (1964:219-220) in determining
characteristics of the nasal and we looked for contact of the prefrontal
with particular supralabials (Taylor, 1936:338). We determined which
supralabials are in contact with the eye and whether the mental is in
contact with the anterior pair of chin-shields.
The number of rows of dorsal scales was determined at five locations: a)
around the neck--counts were made from each side diagonally and
posteriorly from the anteriormost dorsal scale in contact with the first
ventral (see below)--counts from the left and right sides are the first
and second counts, respectively, recorded in the scale formula; b) one
head length posterior to head--counts were made either diagonally and
posteriorly or in a zig-zag pattern, beginning at the end of the second
count around the neck--this is the third count recorded in the scale
formula; c) midbody (approximated)--counts were made either diagonally
and posteriorly or in a zig-zag pattern--this is the fourth count in the
scale formula; d) anterior to anus (preanal)--counts were made in a
zig-zag pattern beginning on one side and ending on the other at the
first dorsal scale in contact with the anal plate--this is the fifth
count in the scale formula.
We followed the method of Dowling (1951:98-99) in counting ventrals, and
the anal plate was determined as entire, divided, or partly divided.
Subcaudals were counted on only the right side beginning at the first
scale that contacts a corresponding scale from the opposite side; fusion
of particular pairs of subcaudals was determined. The "spine" at the tip
of the tail was not counted. The head scutellation of each specimen was
examined for abnormalities.
We determined the number of fangs and the number of maxillary teeth
anterior to them and recorded the presence or absence of a diastema
between the anterior fang and the maxillary tooth immediately preceding
it. The diastema, if present, is a space distinctly wider than the
spaces separating the prediastemal teeth.
The point of intersection of two perpendicular lines of an ocular grid
determined which tooth-socket occurs directly opposite the distal tip of
the suborbital process (Fig. 5b), but if that point occurs between two
sockets then the number recorded was the number of the tooth immediately
anterior to that point plus one-half.
The anterior and posterior edges of the suborbital process were
determined as parallel or not at any point by aligning them with
parallel lines on an ocular grid (Fig. 5b).
The angle of the posterior edge of the lateral flange was determined as
an acute, obtuse, or right angle by fitting it to a pair of
perpendicular lines of an ocular grid (Fig. 5b).
The number of lateral anterior foramina (Fig. 4b) was determined. If
only two are present, their lengths (anterior to posterior) were
compared by measuring them with an ocular micrometer. Also, if two
lateral anterior foramina are present, the point of intersection of two
perpendicular lines of an ocular grid determined which tooth-socket
occurs directly below the center of the posterior foramen (Fig. 4b).