Ratsnake Reclassification

Major changes have been proposed for the reclassification of both Old World & New World Ratsnakes in the last few years. A summary of these can be found below.

* Burbrink & Lawson 2006

Old name New name Common Name
Elaphe erythrura Coelognathus erythrurus Philippene's Ratsnake
Elaphe flavolineata Coelognathus flavolineatus Yellow Stripe Ratsnake
Elaphe helena Coelognathus helena Trinket Snake
Elaphe radiata Coelognathus radiatus Radiated Ratsnake
Elaphe subradiatus Coelognathus subradiatus Indonesian Ratsnake
     
Elaphe schrenkii anomala Elaphe anomala Amur Ratsnake
   
Elaphe bella Maculophis bellus *

     
Elaphe quatuorlineata sauromates Elaphe sauromates Eatern Fourlined Ratsnake
     
Elaphe conspicillata Euprepiophis conspicillatus Japanese Forest Ratsnake
Elaphe mandarina Euprepiophis mandarinus Mandarin Ratsnake
Elaphe perlacea Euprepiophis perlaceus Pearl Banded Ratsnake
     
Elaphe janseni Gonyosoma janseni Celebe Black Tailed Racer
Elaphe oxycephala Gonyosoma oxycephalum Red Tailed Racer
     
Elaphe rufodorsata Oocatochus rufodorsatus Red Backed Ratsnake
     
Elaphe porphyracea Oreocryptophis porphyraceus Bamboo Ratsnakes
Elaphe cantoris Orthriophis cantoris Cantor's Ratsnake
Elaphe hodgsonii Orthriophis hodgsonii Hodgson's Ratsnake
Elaphe moellendorffi Orthriophis moellendorffi Hundred Flower Snake
Elaphe taeniura Orthriophis taeniurus Beauty Snakes
     
Elaphe bairdi Pantherophis bairdi Bairds Ratsnake
Elaphe guttata Pantherophis guttatus Cornsnake
Elaphe obsoleta Pantherophis obsoletus North American Ratsnakes
     
Elaphe vulpina Pantherophis vulpinus Fox Snakes
Elaphe flavirufa Pseudelaphe flavirufa Night Snakes
     
Elaphe frenata  Rhadinophis frenatus * Rein Snake
Elaphe prasina  Rhadinophis prasinus * Green Bush Snake
     
Elaphe scalaris Rhinechis scalaris Ladder Snake
     
Elaphe hohenackeri Zamenis hohenackeri Transcaucasian Ratsnake
Elaphe lineata Zamenis lineatus Italian Aesculapian Snake
Elaphe longissima Zamenis longissimus Aescalapian Snake
Elaphe persica Zamenis persicus Persian Ratsnake
Elaphe situla Zamenis situla Leopard Snake


References
1. Helfenberger, Notker 2001. Phylogenetic relationship of Old World Ratsnakes based on visceral organ topography, osteology, and allozyme variation. Russ. J. Herpetol. (Suppl.): 1-56.
2.Utiger, Urs, Notker Helfenberger, Beat Schätti, Catherine Schmidt, Markus Ruf and Vincent Ziswiler 2002 Molecular systematics and phylogeny of Old World and New World ratsnakes, Elaphe Auct., and related genera (Reptilia, Squamata, Colubridae). Russ. J. Herpetol. 9 (2): 105-124.
3.Utiger, Schatti and Helfenberger; The Oriental Colubrine Genus Coelognathus Fitzinger, 1843 and Classification of Old and New World Racers and Ratsnakes (Reptilia, Squamata, Colubridae, Colubrinae); Russian Journal of Herpetology Vol.12, No.1, 2005
4. Frank T. Burbrin, Robin Lawson. How and when did Old World ratsnakes disperse into the New World? Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution Volume 43, Issue 1, April 2007, Pages 173-189