棕黑锦蛇和赤峰锦蛇是相近种或是亚种关系

在中国的蛇类中，有两个种名（schrenckii与anomala）曾先后被归隶于锦蛇属（Elaphe）。由于此二者体形大小相近，仔蛇的颜色斑纹相似，生活习性相差不大，分布区连续且局部重叠，长期以来被认为是同一物种的两个亚种，近年也有人主张它们分别是两个独立的物种。本文介绍已发表关于二者的外部形态、生活习性、半阴茎构造、染色体组型、血清蛋白电泳和血清酯酶同工酶酶谱、分布情况及分类意见。目的是了解对它们的研究现状，存在的不足或问题，提出进一步探索它们分类地位的途径。

Elaphe schrenckii and E. anomala, Two Related Species or with Subspecific Relation

Among Chinese snakes two species names, scherenckii and anomala, were named successively, both belonging to the genus Elaphe, and having long been recognized as two subspecies of schrenckii, due to highly similarity: in size, in color and pattern (especially in juvenile), in habitats, in food and reproductive habits, and also in continuing and overlapping distribution. During recent years, some herpetologists considered them as two different valid species. This paper reviews all the materials published already under those two names, such as external characters, structure of hemipenis, habitats and habits, chromosomes, and distribution ranges, in order to understanding the current status of knowledge about them, what is insufficient for us to make conclusion, etc. On this basis, the author provides suggestions for further study to find a way in clarifying the taxonomical position of them.