Desert x Coastal Intergrades (Lichanura trivirgata) can be found in an area just west of Palm Springs, where the ranges of the Coastal Rosy Boa (L. t.rosefusca) and the Desert Rosy Boa (L. t. gracia) meet. It is in this area, that these two different subspecies interbreed, creating a naturally occurring intergrade zone. Rosy Boas found in this zone are extremely variable in appearance, displaying multiple combinations of different characteristics from both parent subspecies, yet they can be classified as neither, and can only be taxonomically referred to on a specific (species) level as Lichanura trivirgata. There are a few very popular locals that are found within the intergrade zone, including: Verbenia, Whitewater, Morongo Valley, and possibly Pioneer Town.
I can’t help but ask myself one question. What is the point to creating locals in the middle of an intergrade zone? To me, terms like “pure Whitewater” or “pure Verbenia” really seem to make no sense and are actually a contradiction in terms. Let me explain my point with a couple more questions. Why do we keep Rosy Boas from different locals anyway? And why do so many of us we strive so hard to keep these locals pure? My guess is that as Rosy Boa fanciers, we appreciate the vast diversity in color and pattern that this species presents on a whole, and that we want to preserve the unique color and pattern combinations that are exclusive to each specific local. To me that is the reason we have locals. It is basically to preserve the uniqueness of specimens that are from, or trace back to, a specific local. I can certainly understand that. However, since the locals from the intergrade zone have no consistency to their color and pattern, and they are taxonomically un-pure on a sub-specific level, then how in the world can they be pure on a local level? A specimen that is found in Whitewater Canyon is pure Whitewater only in geographic terms only. Taxonomically, it is a naturally occurring mutt, which is just fine, but it is what it is, nothing more and nothing less.
So I ask again, why have we created these locals in the intergrade zone? Well, here are my thoughts as to why this is. Years ago in the 70’s Whitewater was a favorite collecting site for Rosy Boas, and was known all over the country for the large quantities of boas that it would yield to collectors that made the journey to the area. The term “Whitewater” soon became synonymous with Rosy Boa, and has sense become a permanent part of Rosy Boa history. Of course, becoming famous, the Whitewater area drew attention to areas in the immediate vicinity, and soon names like Verbenia and Morongo Valley were also put on the map and added to the growing list of Rosy Boa locals. Now do not get me wrong, I have no problem with these places being associated with Rosy boas. Like I said earlier, they are part of Rosy Boa history, and they were probably coined before anyone even knew that they were part of the intergrade zone. I just think they should not be thought of as pure locals in regard to future breeding efforts. I personally see no consistent differences between specimens from Verbenia and specimens from Whitewater. This is because neither “local” has any consistency of it’s own, both being intergrades that sit one mile away from each other in the intergrade zone. So why separate them? These “locals” are locals only in that they are specific geographic spots. However, as far as the Rosy Boa is concerned, they are really no different from each other. Specimens from these areas are all intergrades and should be referred to as such before anything else. I have a large collection of Whitewaters and other intergrade locals, and I really enjoy them. However, In my opinion, they are all basically the same thing, and there really is no point to creating a local (or locals) in an intergrade zone when there is absoluetly no consistancy with the specimens that are found there. Sorry I rambled...
