waaiiiiit a minute...

[Zoe]

Okay, maybe this has been brought up to death, but it's just occured to me and I was wondering about it.

Okay, you know how Hog Isles and Common boas are both BCIs... well how can that be? Hog Isles are CLEARLY a different supspecies, if not species... Whats goin on?

Zoe

[Colonel SB]

For them to be considered a seperate species they have to meet certain critera. I think they should be given full spcies status but it takes time...Just look at the Blood complex & same with scrub pythons.

[Zoe]

Okay but why are they the same subspecies?

Zoe

[Colonel SB]

Basically scientists havn't been able to prove that they have enough differece to be classified a full species.

[Zoe]

no no, SUBspecies...

[BoidKeeper]

This is the same sort of debat that's surrounding some Rosy Boas right now. I think that for now if a boa is not true red tail, BCC, it gets lumped into the BCI group. But then again, Ross and Marzec call the common boa a BCC. Then they call the northen boa and the mexican boa BCI? Yeah that sure helps eh? I personally get cufused over the term "common boa" I've seen it used to describe a mexican and a columbian. Why not call them mexican boas and columbian boas? I've also read on here that there is a true columbian red tail but it's rare, what's the story on that?
Here's what Ross and Marzec have to say on the subject for those that have not read it.
"The confusing taxonomy of this species complicates its reproductive husbandry, as inditicfication of the specimens in the data received is often ambiguous. With few exceptions, specimens are identified as "Boa constrictor," "Constrictor constrictor" or "Boa subspecies." Lamar (pers. comm.) who has had extensive field experience with Boa Constrictor, states that " The practice of inventing common names for purposes of commerce has created much misunderstanding about the this species, and relatively baseless names such as 'Colombian boa, Guyanan red-tail,' 'Suriname red-tail,' and 'Peruvian red-tail' have become entrenched in modern usage." These names are used to indicate ostensibly consistent variations in color, patern, saddle configuration and number, and ventral markings. However, boa constricotrs are highly polymorphic, and these characteristics do not accurately identify identify a specimen's origin or subspecies. Local populations of boa constrictors are often highly variable. This may be especially true of riverine populations, where the introduction of specimens by rafting is likely to occur from time to time." (Ross,Marzec 1990,p.209)
So basically their saying that the names we're using for the animals we place in BCC and BCI were just created by breeders to help identify the animals they want to sell. They're saying that thoses names have more of a comercial value then a scientific one. Doesn't do much to answer your question but maybe helps to creat a new perspective when it comes to the names we use and the value we place on them.
Cheers,
Trevor

[Jeff_Favelle]

They aren't a different species or subspecies because they are just an island form the the mainland Bci. Whether or not breedings took place when Hogs were still around in the wild is debatable. But the Bci is HIGHLY variable in the wild (and in captivity). Being different color-wise wasn't enough in the view of the taxonomists to warrant new subspecific status. Its part of the Bci complex as an isolated population. Happens in LOTS of animals, not just boas. Its taxonomy at work. Like it or hate it, its just a tool for us to classify. Nothing more.