AIZAWL: A team of researchers led by a professor from the Zoology Department at Mizoram University has discovered a new species of snake in the Rakhine State of Myanmar.
Prof. HT Lalremsanga and his team, including research scholar Lalbiakzuala, Vietnamese herpetologist Tan Van Nguyen, and German herpetologist Gernot Vogel, discovered this new species while studying the Herpetoreas xenura species complex.
They used morphological and molecular data from Mizoram, Bangladesh, and Myanmar.
The discovery, published in the prestigious scientific research journal European Journal of Taxonomy volume 932 on May 4, 2024, introduces the world to Herpetoreas davidi, named in honour of the renowned French taxonomist Patrick David.
“The new snake that we discovered is a rare variety, and as far as we can trace, it is a non-venomous snake measuring up to 1 foot, 9 to 11 inches long,” he told the press.
He further elaborated that the snake primarily preys on frogs and thrives in low-lying swamps characterized by high humidity.
This significant finding adds to the growing body of knowledge surrounding Myanmar’s rich biodiversity and highlights the importance of collaborative research efforts in uncovering new species and understanding their ecological roles.
This discovery follows another recent breakthrough in January, led by herpetologist Dr. Chan Kin Onn, which described a new species of pit viper from Myanmar.
The redtail pit viper (Trimeresurus erythrurus), native to the northern coast of Myanmar, showcases distinct features compared to its sister species, the mangrove pit viper (Trimeresurus purpureomaculatus), found in southern Myanmar.
Interestingly, central Myanmar hosts a unique population exhibiting characteristics of both species, presenting a fascinating blend of genetic diversity.
As researchers continue to explore Myanmar’s diverse landscapes, these discoveries shed light on the intricate web of life thriving within its borders.
