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Map depicting the approximate distributions of the two foxsnake mtDNA lineages as hypothesized from this study. The light shaded area represents the range of Pantherophis ramspotti, and the dark shaded area represents the range of P. vulpinus. The Mississippi River is a historical barrier yet either side has haplotypes from the other side (the hatched area).

Map depicting the approximate distributions of the two foxsnake mtDNA lineages as hypothesized from this study. The light shaded area represents the range of Pantherophis ramspotti, and the dark shaded area represents the range of P. vulpinus. The Mississippi River is a historical barrier yet either side has haplotypes from the other side (the hatched area).

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As currently understood, there are two species of foxsnakes (Eastern Foxsnake, Pantherophis gloydi Conant and Western Foxsnake, P. vulpinus Baird and Girard) that are separated by a large geographic disjunction that encompasses almost all of Michigan, eastern Indiana, and eastern Ohio. Phylogenetic analysis of mtDNA data of individuals from through...

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... the shift in the distribution of the species boundary west, dorsal body blotch count remains the key diagnostic morphological trait. (Figure 4) for these lineages creates taxonomic problems. The type specimen (ANSP 21650) for Pantherophis gloydi is from Lucas County, Ohio. ...

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