Nominal taxa of Spalerosophis diadema (Schlegel, 1837) from Iraq to Pakistan - Two centuries of confusion (Reptilia: Squamata: Colubrinae)

Abstract

The onginal descnptions of nominal species-group taxa of Spalerosophis diadema (Schlegel, 1837) from Iraq to Pakistan are scrutinized, the status of extant and presumably lost type specimens and alleged original series assessed, scale characters of populations from the Euphrates to the Indus Valley analyzed, and taxonomic implications discussed. The origin of the supposedly missing type material of Coluber diadema Schlegel (vicinity of Bushehr, Iran) remains inconclusive. Morphologically, its description best fits S. d. cliffordii (Schlegel, 1837) from North Africa to Iraq and Khuzestan (Iran). S. d. schirasianus (Jan, 1863) is a distinct subspecies from Turkmenistan and the Zagros Range to Baluchistan (Pakistan). Eastern Diadem snake populations, yet to be properly named, are referred to as S. d. diadema auct.