Author: L. M. Klauber

Publisher: Forgotten Books

Published: 2018-03-18

Total Pages: 100

ISBN-13: 9780364937457

Excerpt from Bulletins of the Zoological Society of San Diego, October 15, 1941, Vol. 17: Four Papers on the Application of Statistical Methods to Herpetological Problems The tapering bodies of most species of snakes are usually correlated with changes in the number of dorsal scale rows. In order to discuss the Shape of the dispersion curve of this character it is necessary to define the particular count which is to be used as a basis of investigation. In most taxonomic work either the number of rows at mid-body is cited, or the number at the neck, at mid-body, and just before the vent. There are four types of suppression (or lack of suppression) of scale rows between the neck and the vent: (1) a constant number; (2) a con stant number from neck to mid-body, followed by a decrease to the vent; (3) a continuously decreasing number from neck to vent; (4) an increase from neck (at its point of least diameter) to mid-body, followed by a decrease toward the vent. While many species, and even genera, adhere to only one of these methods, others may follow two or more, since, after all, there is no very sharp line between them. In fact, there is not entire agreement as to the definitions of the three points at which the rows are to be counted; usually they are (1) on the neck one head-length posterior to the hinge of the jaw; (2) at mid-body half-way between the head and vent; and (3) a short distance anterior to the vent, to avoid the irregularities involved in the considerable diminution in body diameter at that point. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.