What did Edward Drinker Cope note about the dorsal scales of Eunectes notaeus compared to Eunectes murinus?

Answer

Dorsal scales are larger and arranged in fewer rows.

Edward Drinker Cope, the original identifier of the yellow anaconda species, established a key morphological distinction between *Eunectes notaeus* and its massive relative, *Eunectes murinus*. This distinction lies specifically in the structure and count of the scales along the snake's back. Cope observed that the dorsal scales on the yellow anaconda are physically larger than those of the green anaconda, and conversely, they are present in fewer distinct rows running along the length of the body. This specific characteristic, related to the dorsal aspect, is actually the source of the specific epithet *notaeus*, which translates roughly to 'dorsal,' highlighting the scientific importance of this observation in classifying the species.

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