What variation regarding the central color band is sometimes observed in specimens of *P. platura* from certain regions?
Answer
Some sources note that specimens found in certain regions may lack the central pale band entirely, presenting a more abrupt transition between the black top and yellow bottom.
While the standard description of the species includes a three-toned appearance—dark dorsal, bright ventral, separated by a pale olive or light brown band—the pattern is known to exhibit significant plasticity across its vast geographic range. In some specific localized populations, researchers have documented instances where the intermediate pale band is absent, leading to a sharp, two-toned demarcation where the dark dorsal surface meets the yellow ventral surface immediately.
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